Winter Sports - Rugby


“


The weather in August was


atrocious and I was unable to cut the grass for three to four weeks, which meant it was even more difficult to knock the pitches in shape when the dry weather finally came


on, instead of the designated training areas.” “Plus, the weather in August this year was atrocious and I was unable to cut the grass for three to four weeks which meant it was even more difficult to knock the pitches in shape when the dry weather finally came,” he said.


Although Scott works mostly on his own, he can avail of some help when the pressure is on. “I have to say Ian is very good at coming down to help out,” said Scott. “He is an expert on the pedestrian mower, which really does save me a lot of time, especially in the busy spells.”


“Plus, some team members come down to help me mark the pitches. People do not realise how long it takes to mark out one pitch, so it is another huge help when I get some assistance with this task.” One of the more challenging tasks at the Shaw’s Bridge Sports Complex is managing the banks and getting the grass cut. Scott said: “As the pitches are at split levels, there is a bank that forms a border


between them. Some parts of these banks are at quite a gradient, too steep to cut with the tractor, so we hire in a special mower to cut the grass there.”


Scott says the groundsman industry is heavily under recognised, and more needs to be done to highlight the good work they do. “It seems the ordinary groundsman is very much forgotten about, yet relied on to keep sports grounds looking at their best.” “I think more needs to be done to highlight the importance of our roles to the general public, sportsmen and women and the people who run the clubs,” he said. Scott did conclude by saying that the Shaw’s Bridge Sports Association was very supportive of his work and helped out with his course at Greenmount College.


What’s in the shed? John Deere 4720 tractor Ransomes gang mowers Major 8400 roller mower Sisis MegaSlit Sisis Quadraplay Trailed roller


Groundsman pedestrian aerator Soil aerator


Jacobsen Tri‐king ride on triple mower Jacobsen PGM22 cylinder mower Tractor transport box Leaf blowers Strimmers Pitch marker


38 I PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2018


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