Winter Sports
Despite continued rain ...
lots of activity in terms of flag bearers, dancers, parades and small sided games, plus the thirty minute team warm-ups. On the pitch, at the time, were two members of the grounds staff, finishing off the linemarking. Within an hour, all the lines had been completed and all that was left to do was to put out the post protectors and corner flags - and then keeping unauthorised people off the pitch! Keith had been keeping an eye on the weather forecast, with heavy rain due in the early part of the day and clearing up prior to the match. As a result, the pitch mowing had taken place the previous night, immediately after Tonga and the Cook Islands allotted thirty minute training sessions. He’d even taken the precaution of vertidraining the pitch the previous week, which meant it was able to cope with the 50mm of rain in three days prior to matchday. The pitch looked immaculate, especially considering it had staged over thirty rugby league matches and even more training sessions since April. In September, Keith had managed to fit in a light scarification and overseed of the pitch, plus he undertook some aeration work using the new Air 2G2 from Will Kidd at Fine Turf Services, Cheshire.
The south end of Leigh Sports Village Stadium suffers from shading and poor
... pre-match activity remained intense
drainage, creating problems with algae. A trial with the Air 2G2 machine on the area in the summer resulted in the algae being dispersed and a significant improvement in root growth. Being aware of the need for the stadium to be at its best for the World Cup match, the club supported Keith’s decision to have the whole pitch aerated with the machine. This was done straight after the Kingstone Press 2013 Championship Final on the 29th September, following three back to back games in one day.
The air injection was carried out to a depth of 175mm at one metre spacings; the work took nine hours at a cost of around £1000. In Keith’s opinion, this was money well spent as there has been enhanced grass cover and a better recovery rate after games. By now, it was late afternoon and still raining, the pitch was ready, so all that was left to do was monitor the pre-match entertainment rehearsals. Members of the armed services
marched with the national flags of the teams taking part. However, at times, they were walking along the newly painted lines, something Keith was not too pleased about! With ninety minutes to go before kick- off, the final jobs were to secure the walkways and remove any machinery and equipment to a compound outside the
stadium. We then went back into the mess room to have some pre-match tea, with Keith kindly buying me a fish and chips supper. Gates were open around 6.30pm, with an anticipated full house of 10,000 plus spectators; only the second time that the stadium had entertained a capacity audience. A pre-kick-off Haka from both teams set the scene for a very entertaining evening of rugby league. The game got off to a great start with both teams preparing to run, resulting in a try apiece after twenty minutes. At half time, it was 18-10 to Tonga, with the final score being 22-16. An important win for Tonga but, after their surprise defeat by Scotland in their first group game and a subsequent victory over Italy in their final match, it wasn’t enough to see them through to the quarter finals. With a two hour drive home, I was able
to reflect on a very enjoyable and memorable first ever rugby league game for me - featuring two hakas, some fantastic tries, a few game-changing errors and an incredibly moving joint prayer at the end.
Certainly a night, and a day, to
remember. And my thanks to both Keith and Mel, and their teams, for their hospitality and for allowing me to be involved in their important World Cup preparations.
Keith performs final checks ahead of the match 68 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014
Tonga beat the Cook Islands 22-16
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