Summer Sports - Cricket
“
I’ve learned a great deal in the last year, regardless. I’m sure qualifications will happen - someone sell it to me!
The square in December - a lengthy autumn was helpful to renovations
What’s in the shed? McDonald road roller Atco Club 20R wicket mower Ransomes Textron Marquis 5L Bob Andrews Lawn Doctor
MTD Yard-Man tractor affectionatley known as “Millie”
“I haven't been involved in the purchase of any machinery for the cricket club. If it was required, then funds would dictate that it was secondhand. We have what we have at the end of the day.”
“A wish list would include a verticutter, and a roller that can be ballasted. The welfare provide a tandem road roller with a drum width of 3 feet and a weight of around 1.5 tonne. Obviously, this provides inflexibility where weight is concerned. A Poweroll Club would be nice.”
“A rotary mower that isn’t my own would be handy too, allowing me to delegate more. I’ve got a couple of Hayter Pro 48s of my own that I’ve used through the off- season. A Hayter Harrier 56 would be ideal machine for the cricket club. I’ve had very few issues with Hayter machines and they give an impressive quality of cut and presentation.”
week from the cricket club members.” “Next, the sarrel roller makes an
appearance in four directions to create as much seed to soil contact as possible. Our final slow release feed will be applied around this time (not the case in 2015) before sowing the best part of two 20kg bags of seed. Last season, I dressed at six 20kg bags per pitch. For 2017, I’m considering not shaving and scarifying wicket ends, repairing these all individually, concentrating efforts more towards the business area. With resources tight, I may look to use those six bags over an 18-20 yard area rather than a 25 yard area.” “Finally, the square needs to be fenced off
to reduce the football damage. I have found that some laminated signage within the builders mesh has gone a long way to helping. I think players and coaches understand more why the fence is there, rather than seeing something they can jump over to get their ball.” “The committee understands that it’s a
vital part of the calendar for the club. At the end of the day, it has to be done - it’s not an area for negotiation, whereas annual subs and match subs are! What I’m working with is pretty shoe-string as it is, but I’m proud of what was achieved in 2015 with the cash available to us, and anticipate further
improvements in the surface this season.” As the season was about to get under way - which began with a friendly just a week after the NatWest Cricket Force day on 9th April - Jack was in confident mood. “After the football season had finished, we needed to get the protective fencing down from around the square and mow around the edge with our small ride-on mower, Millie. I gave the square a light scarify and a mow at 12mm. Other jobs included setting up screens for the season and some work on the portable batting net. The scorebox also needed a bit of TLC with a bit of a clear out and tidy up. It’s quite exciting what we could achieve here with enough help.” Jack concludes by saying that he would like
to undertake more training, but time and cost are the standard barriers. “Courses aren’t cheap and I’m working up to ten months of the year with little time off. By completing the Pitchcare Spring and Summer course, plus continuous reading and participation on the Pitchcare forum, I feel as if I’m in a very good place as a volunteer groundsman. I’ve learned a great deal in the last year, regardless. I'm sure qualifications will happen - someone sell it to me!”
82 I PC APRIL/MAY 2016
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