when you press your foot down it’s too wet. Obviously, I am heavily reliant on the weather. For me, its all about consolidating the square slowly but surely. I start off by rolling with my lightest roller, my 24 inch cylinder mower with the blades off. I find this a good start for the square. I roll with this mower for a few days to prepare the ground for a heavier roller. I then move onto rolling with my Ransomes Mastiff 42inch mower. This is the one I spend most of my time on doing my pre-season work. I start off by walking behind it with no weight in the grass box. As time goes by, and the square is feeling firmer underfoot, but, still with adequate moisture in the ground, I increase the weight by placing some blocks in the grass box, and then some more by using the seat behind the mower. I then move on to rolling with my Autoroller. There is no water in the wheels, then I gradually add weight by filling the back wheel and then the front. Generally I start with the Autoroller a couple of weeks into March. I get asked how long I roll for.
I don’t like saying I roll each pitch for a specific time, as it varies slightly from year to year. I am looking for a ‘plasticine’
like consistency in the clay. Again, it’s down to experience and knowing my square. At times, during the rolling
programme, I keep the grass at a height of 16mm. I also lightly verti-cut during March to encourage the grass to grow upwards. I may also lightly fertilise around this time if I see I have a window to do so. Again, this is generally determined by the weather and if the rolling has gone well. I can stay off the square and allow the fertiliser to wash in. I also keep an eye out for worm casts and treat as required. There have also been times
where I have had to water the square during pre-season. It has not happened that often but, if I see there is no rain forecast for a while, and the square is too dry to take the roller, I get the sprinklers out. On the flip side I am lucky enough to have covers for the whole square, and I do use them, especially during March when I am using the heavy roller and rain is forecast. It is a great luxury as it means I don't have to wait days for the square to dry out.
That's about it. I’m not going to lie, I do enjoy it when the rolling is done, like, I’m sure, all of you are!!!
ROLLING TONBRIDGE
All squares are cut throughout the winter on a regular basis using an Allett Buffalo 24” (weight 122kg - 269lb). The main square has fifteen strips. Rolling will start as soon as conditions allow, usually from March onwards The first roll is done using a unballasted Autoroller (1.52 tonne). This will be done across the square. The second roll will be done corner to corner using the same roller. Usually, we will get both passes done in one day so a faster speed than normal will apply. That equates to 6 hours rolling. The third pass will be opposite corner to corner followed by a fourth pass across the direction of play again. After five days rolling we will drop the speed to a more normal pitch preparation pace. Two weeks before the first game, around April 10th, we will start a cycle with a fifth direction
George Alexander
added. ie stump to stump, in the direction of play. We aim to achieve four to five hours per wicket pre-season. So, 60-75 hours pre-season rolling. Once the season is underway, but only when the conditions are drier, we then ballast the roller to two tonnes for pitch preparation. Our other six squares are only six strips each. but we still aim to do three to four hours preseason on these. Two older T H Whites Autorollers are used for these following exactly the same method. but these are slightly heavier at 1778kg unballasted and 2438kg ballasted. We employ two students over Easter to help achieve this.
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