How Vic Demain, Head Groundsman at Durham County Cricket Club, is revolutionising grounds maintenance with Dennis Mowers and Howardson Group Hire

Grounds maintenance is an often underappreciated but crucial aspect of any sports club, especially in cricket where the quality of the pitch can make or break a match. Vic Demain, Head Groundsman at Durham County Cricket Club has spent over a decade working at the club and many years before that in the industry . Over the years, Vic has relied on Dennis Mowers for their reliability, ease of use and excellent customer service. But as financial pressures increase across the sport, Vic has found an innovative solution to maintaining a top-quality ground suitable for international matches while managing costs by opting for a hire option through Howardson Group Hire.

Vic's journey into groundskeeping began with his passion for cricket. “I’ve always loved the game,” he says, “and this role allows me to stay close to it while also using my skills in a more hands-on, behind-the-scenes way.” For the last ten years, Vic has dedicated himself to ensuring that Durham County Cricket Club's pitches are of the highest standard. His role is both technical and artistic requiring a deep understanding of turf management, machinery and the weather’s impact on play.

Having spent two decades working with Dennis equipment, Vic has developed a strong preference for their mowers. “I’ve always gone to Dennis first,” he explains. “The quality of the cut is second to none and I find their machines incredibly user-friendly. On top of that their after-sales service is fantastic. If you ever have an issue the team at Dennis are quick to help and provide the necessary support.”

However, like many clubs, Durham CCC faces financial constraints which have made large capital investments in machinery difficult. Buying mowers outright would simply not be affordable for the club. That's where Howardson Group’s hire option came into play.

Rather than purchasing machinery upfront, Durham CCC opted for a flexible three-year hire package through Howardson Group Hire. This approach allowed the club to keep their grounds maintenance at a high standard without the significant financial outlay.

“The beauty of the hire programme is the affordability,” says Vic. “If we had to buy all the equipment outright, we’d only be able to afford one machine. With the hire option, we now have three: two ES-30 cylinder mowers for cutting the outfield and an ES-510 for cutting the pitches''

Vic carefully chose the mowers to suit the club’s diverse needs. “The ES-30 is perfect for cutting the outfield,” he says, “while the ES-510 is ideal for pitch maintenance, giving us the flexibility to adjust based on the specific needs of the grounds.” The ES-30 cylinder mowers offer a fine cut, delivering precision and consistency across large areas, while the ES-510’s versatility is perfect for maintaining pitch quality—crucial for the fast-paced demands of professional cricket.
The option to hire rather than purchase outright has multiple advantages. For one, the club can spread the cost over time, rather than facing a large upfront expense. “Spreading the cost makes everything so much more manageable,” Vic says. “Every month, we know exactly what we’re paying. There’s no surprise financial burden. Plus, the hire agreement includes regular servicing, which is a huge benefit.”

Keeping the machines in top condition is vital for longevity and reliability. “No one wants a machine to break down,” Vic explains. “That’s when it’s most frustrating, especially when you’re busy and need the equipment the most. With the regular servicing and maintenance, including genuine parts we’re reducing the chances of breakdowns and ensuring the machines stay in the best possible condition.”

The idea of hiring through Howardson Group Hire didn’t come out of the blue. It was a recommendation from Gary Barwell, Head Groundsman at Edgbaston Cricket Stadium and Warwickshire County Cricket Club, who were already using the hire programme. “Gary has been using Dennis machines for a couple of years now and was the one who suggested the hire programme to me,” says Vic. “It made perfect sense when I looked into it.”

In November, Vic attended Saltex, a leading turf management trade show, where he spoke with Dennis representatives about the hire option. “The team at Dennis really helped me understand how the hire programme could work for us,” he recalls. “From that point, it was a no-brainer.”

Once the decision was made, the installation process was smooth. “Ewan Wilson, the Area Sales Manager at Dennis, was fantastic,” Vic says. “He took us through the machines from top to bottom, showing the team how to use them. Even for someone like me, who’s not great with technology, the machines were intuitive and we felt confident using them right away.”

The ongoing support doesn’t stop with installation. Regular maintenance and servicing ensure that the machines continue to operate at peak performance. “Having genuine parts and regular servicing is essential,” says Vic. “It’s part of the package, and it makes all the difference. I really believe that when machines are serviced properly, they last much longer.”

Looking back on the decision to hire the equipment, Vic strongly believes it’s a smart move that other clubs should consider. “From a financial perspective, being able to spread the cost over time is much more manageable for us,” he notes. “The flexibility and the peace of mind that comes with the servicing agreement are invaluable. The reliability of Dennis mowers combined with the hire option has made groundskeeping here at Durham County Cricket Club more sustainable for the future and I would highly recommend it to other clubs.”

In the world of professional cricket, the quality of the pitch is paramount. But so is managing the operational costs of maintaining that pitch. Vic Demain’s partnership with Dennis Mowers and Howardson Group Hire has been a game-changer for Durham offering the best of both worlds: top-quality machinery and a financial model that works for the club. With the flexibility to hire, access to world-class equipment and regular servicing, Durham County Cricket Club is well-positioned to continue delivering high-quality pitches for years to come.