“When the £60,000 installation cost and maintenance overheads are accounted for, grass works out no more expensive to run, so I don’t really see the logic in doing it”
greater winter use. Yet, when the £60,000 installation cost and maintenance overheads are accounted for, grass works out no more expensive to run, so I don’t really see the logic in doing it,” he adds. “The life of a tarmacadam or artificial grass court is usually around ten years, depending on use and maintenance, something which people often overlook when replacing grass with other surfaces. In many instances, it might be better to stay put and make the most of what is fast becoming a rarity across multi-use sports sites.” Preparing the bowls green is another aspect of his job that has thrown up its fair share of challenges for Vic. He had never had experience of tending a surface renowned for being hugely labour intensive so, for him, the challenge has been in balancing how he allocates his time. “The sand construction of crown bowls
greens was something I’d never dealt with before, so it’s been the most technically challenging side of the job for me. I’ve been lucky to have contact with
Mark Hammond, a man very experienced in preparing these surfaces, who I contacted through the Pitchcare website. Although he is based in Lincolnshire, I speak with him almost daily by email and he’s helped me tremendously. It proves to me the value of sharing ideas within our industry.” As a result of their brainstorming sessions, Vic has greatly reduced the volume of rolling on the bowls green, which is showing signs of success. “Since I’ve become more aware of the crown green reforms, it’s really changed my thinking on the value of rolling - we restrict heavy rolling far more now.” Whilst mostly working alone, Vic has, over the years, established valuable contacts, who have helped him improve his skills and also balance his busy summer workload. Stuart Kerrison, Head Groundsman at Essex CCC in Chelmsford, who chaired the groundsmen’s meeting earlier this year, has been an important sounding board for Vic.
But, two assistants in particular have
made a huge impact, he notes. The first is twenty-two year-old New Zealander, Simon Hardy, who Vic praises unstintingly as “the most knowledgeable groundsman I’ve ever come across,” adding, “his first visit to the UK, in 2008 - he was only here for a year - was an invaluable source of help and information to me, and was keen to get involved in first-class pitches. We keep in regular contact now and share ideas.” Over the longer term, Vic’s biggest influence has been Ramesh Patel, who he met by chance in 1986 while attending a cricket training course at Lilleshall Abbey.
Despite spending a week together, the two didn’t remember one another until years later. The 55-year old Patel is now in his second season at the club and he and Vic have struck up a great partnership. “Without those two, I would not be here right now,” says Vic. “They’ve been a tower of strength in the face of many problems we’ve faced.”
The 'total-play' system offers a low maintenance, high performance solution suitable for match and practice pitches. A range of one to six-bay systems is available as standard, while we can also develop a bespoke or refurbishment solution to meet your specific requirements.
The total-play non-turf pitch system is an ECB approved design, as used by Harrow School and ex-England cricketer Darren Gough. Its unique and modern design offers cricket players a balanced game between bat and ball and is designed to encourage and improve player performance at all levels.
total-play Ltd has become the first non-turf pitch supplier to be awarded the status of England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Non-Turf Pitch (NTP) Code of Practice.
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Telephone: 01604 750 555 l Email:
info@total-play.co.uk l Website:
www.total-play.co.uk 89
As supplied to Uxbridge CC
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