Chris M rolling
doing the latter as it’s a long tedious task and we finally got away about 7.30pm, having starting at 8.00am. Job done though and lots learned. Winter was just a case of brushing off leaves and checking the rabbit netting and, although we would have liked to have cut the squares that were actually growing well, it was always just a little too wet. We did, though, manage to get the outfields nipped back twice which has proved very beneficial with the new growth.
In early March, Chris, Graham and myself did the first bit of pre-season work when we got the chance. This involved cutting the outfield again, taking down the netting, first high cut to both squares and first light roll. Following on from that, we continued to light roll and fertilise the now growing squares. We actually spent most of April watering and cutting both squares, as it
Pete Wilton of NuLawn
was so dry, and moved to the main roller at the same time, giving each square around twenty-five hours each. To date, we have played several games on each. Both squares played well despite the early start, but you can see a marked difference in each compared to the one we scarified and the one we did not. The main square cored down to about six inches of good white, straight root with no thatch, whilst the small one cored only to approximately two inches of root with lots of deep thatch, so the plan next September is to deep scarify both - it shows the benefits. For games, we are leaving the main
square to the hired in groundsman, but Chris and I are using the small one as a learning curve. We have been cutting the selected track to approximately 10mm, seven to ten days prior to the game, and then rolling and watering. We continue to mow, reducing the height of cut by
TWENTYQuestions
Chris Marsden - doesn’t go about things in a roundabout way, as the moles are about to find out!
Who are you? Chris Marsden, Marine Engineer, volunteer groundsman at Arundel Cricket Club.
Family Status - Married to Karen with a teenage son called Daniel and a Black Lab called Kirsty.
Who is your hero and why? The great explorer Ernest Shackleton (commitment, dedication and a leader of men)
What is your dream holiday? Would love to explore Australia.
What annoys you the most? People not indicating on roundabouts.
What would you change about yourself? A few inches off the waistline.
Who wouldn’t you like to be? The moles on the outfield when I catch them.
Favourite record and why? Gold by Spandau Ballet, a fantastic karaoke song.
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? I will have to say the wife.
If you won the lottery what would be the first thing you would do? Not tell anyone.
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? A base drum, because it can be played quietly in the background or loudly in the foreground.
What is the best advice you have been given? Don’t eat yellow snow.
What is your favourite smell? Freshly ground coffee.
What do you do in your spare time? Fix lawnmowers and small tractors.
What is the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? Too many to be able to pick out one.
What is your favourite piece of kit? Ransomes Triple Mower.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Honest, trustworthy and committed.
What talent would you like to have? To predict the lottery numbers.
What makes you angry? People who put away dirty equipment, and computer software.
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? Corporal punishment.
Pitchcare training session in full flow
2mm each time, plus watering, rolling, brushing and raking, until the Thursday before the Saturday game when we cut to 5mm and roll, but do not water. We have been giving a final cut and roll, plus marking out, on a Friday evening and, so far, it is working well. We have been leaving a little bit of grass on, but are pleased to say that the first track we did had four games played on it, including two in one day, and the repairs have been minimal. As groundsmen, both Chris and I fell into the role, as you do, and, having done the Pitchcare course, are both fully addicted to the fine art of wicket preparation, oh, and strips!
Anyway gotta go ... off to the club to cut the square ... again!!!”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148