Summer Sports - Cricket
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I feel an aesthetically pleasing environment is not only important for our players, but for those who choose to spend their weekends enjoying our club
Hand watering
Robin ride on triple cylinder mower, to 12mm and the square is cut once or twice a week as required. New wicket preparations begin two weeks in advance of planned use. Solid tining is undertaken at the end of season. “With my square, I have found that increased tining has assisted in reducing organic matter and has encouraged deep root growth,” says Matt. “Effective fertilisation is one of the key
elements of my work. This is done every four to six weeks; mostly lower nitrogen granular feed supplemented with a liquid seaweed extract. The seaweed extract is helping maintain the pH value for rye grass. Everris Renovator Pro and an autumn fertiliser, BioAtlantis Ocean Green Complex with micro nutrients, are used.” “In addition, I carry out regular
scarification throughout the summer and
What’s in the shed? Triple cylinder outfield mower
Ransomes Super Certes 51 cylinder mower Husqvarna ride on rotary mower Bomag heavy roller John Deere pedestrian rotary mower John Deere scarifier
Local company, Geaney & O’Neill Ltd., who specialise in the maintenance and sales of professional turfcare equipment, do all works. “I find that well maintained machinery allows work to be done when needed, reducing the hassle of untimely and expensive breakdowns. Also, having the ability to maintain and repair machinery oneself, i.e. having basic mechanical knowledge, is an important part of the job.”
“Oh, and my wish list would include a vertical action aerator. At the moment, all aeration equipment is hired in.”
44 I PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 The view from the refurbished clubhouse
use selective herbicides as and when necessary. I try to delegate as much rolling as possible to whoever is willing and able!” Matt puts great store in presenting the
ground in the best possible light. “After a true and fair playing surface, presentation is my next priority. I feel an aesthetically pleasing environment is not only important for our players, but for those who choose to spend their weekends enjoying our club. Not only the playing surface with striping etc., but the surrounding areas should also be attractive. Planting, seating areas and so on are all important.” “At the end of the season a full renovation of the square is carried out, including a thorough scarification, solid tining, sarrel spiking, overseeding or reseeding, topdressing (heavily for the last few years with five tonnes at a time) and fertilisation.
Over the last two years, I’ve completely reseeded the square using Limagrain’s MM50; the results have been pleasing.” “Budgets are tight and more could always be done, but the last few years work has been satisfactory in maintaining good performing wickets,” states Matt. “Increases in high intensity rainfall,
especially over the summer period, have created more challenges,” Matt explains. “Ground preparation for cricket in the South West of Ireland is difficult enough so, should these trends continue, serious thought will need to be put in to how best to combat these forces out of our control. In the meantime, we do our best to keep wickets dry and encourage better drainage. We now have roll-on, roll-off raised covers which have proven to be far superior to the previous flat sheet covers I inherited.”
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