He did not play in 1877 but returned in the 1878 season, playing five county matches, as well as a game against an All England Eleven, featuring players such as Test cricketers Dick Barlow, Arthur Shrewsbury, Billy Barnes, Alfred Shaw, Wilfred Flowers and William Scotton.
Curgenven was a right-handed batsman and played 30 innings in 17 matches with an average of 12.53 and a top score of 71.
[2] He was described as " A brilliant bat, hitting well all round, and on a lively wicket a fast run-getter; a good field at long leg and cover-point.
Curgenven married Pamela Barrett Harman on 20 January 1874 in St Matthew's, Ardwick, Manchester.
They had two sons Henry and Gilbert, who also played first-class cricket for Derbyshire and two daughters.