Two weeks ago, Keith Kent - the Head Groundsman at Twickenham - visited us at Ballards Ash to review our pitches and advise our groundsmen on any works which needed to be done.
The following is a copy of Keith’s report, which I’m sure you will all agree is a pleasure to read. It clearly outlines the commitment of our own groundstaff and the advice that we take from external contractors to ensure that we have the very best possible pitches for our members.
After 2018's long hot summer, there will be much work to do on the pitches over late spring and summer months, so please bear with the team as they ensure we have five fantastic pitches ready for the start the 2018/19 season.
And don’t forget new pitch maintenance volunteers are always welcome - please contact Brian Smith if you would like to get involved.
Keith Kent's Report
It is a fair few years since I last visited the club along with Dave Stubley. I returned with Jon Bendle and was absolutely delighted with the club I found.
What a transformation. What a club house. What a team of great volunteers that represent this great club.
I am delighted that you have Bretton King as your contractor. He is a very good man who is gifted with grass. He is doing all of your major renovations and I am completely relaxed about that. I have known Bretton for a number of years now and I am proud that he is one of our preferred pitch partners.
1st Team Pitch
This pitch looks really well. Despite the drains dropping due to last year's drought which no-one could have foreseen. The driest and hottest summer for over 40 years and it has taken its toll on pitches all over the country.
An invasion of rabbits is not helping your cause at all. Bretton has said that he is going to hand top dress these drain runs this spring. That is fantastic. That is how to do it properly and he is not going to be short on effort in an attempt to get those drains right.
The renovation works are all in hand with Sand, aeration, seed and feed all being done to the highest standard.
If we get a half decent summer this pitch will bounce back and be back to its best.
Please keep up the maintenance work on your pitches in-house. The chain harrows are a great piece of kit and you very own Wiedenmann has made such a difference to your pitches. Congratulations on buying this machine. I have one at Twickenham and wouldn't part with it for the world. Keep in contact with Chas at Wiedenmann and he will look after you forever.
2nd Team Pitch with Floodlights
This pitch is in need of a lot of work this close season. It is the workhorse of the club with training and games taking place on it every week of the season. It is very bare of grass and the rabbits have had a party digging out your drain runs on this pitch. This pitch needs everything done to it the same as the 1st team pitch. Bretton is going to hand dress the drains on this pitch as well. Do not skimp on anything on this pitch. It needs a lot of TLC.
I spoke to the Director of Rugby later that morning and he agreed to keep off of the training pitch until September and will use pitches 3 & 4 in the preseason. That is magnificent and gives you a good chance of establishing good grass coverage next season.
3rd Team Pitch
A really good well grassed pitch. There is so much grass on this pitch that it is only down for a fertiliser and in house aeration. Knowing what we know, the 1st team have agreed to train on this pitch let's make this pitch look the business from day 1 of training. Give it an extra feed. Green it up and make it look like a stadium pitch. Cut it and put a really good pattern on it. Make it stand out when people look from the club house. Make them want to train on it! They will ignore pitch 2 if pitch 3 is looking like Twickenham!
4th Team Pitch
Once again a really well grassed pitch. Only needs fertiliser and aeration and regular mowing. Keep this pitch looking at its best. Put a nice pattern on this pitch in the close season and make people want to train on this pitch. If we can afford it give this pitch an extra feed in an attempt to protect pitch 2.
The new gymnasium is such a fantastic building. Absolutely magnificent. I must return and have a look at it when it is finished and fitted out. What an achievement for you and the club. I have mentioned it at HQ so please let me know when it is open and send me some photos to back up what I am saying here at Twickenham.
Your equipment shed is just awesome! I am so jealous of you. I showed the pictures to my staff and they were laughing that you had more room than we havelWell done to the club. They had the foresight to build for the future and that included the groundsman, his team and his equipment.
Look after your kit
Your Wiedenmann Terra spike is just what I would wish for every club in the country. It is an awesome piece of kit and one that you must use was often as you can. It is the difference between having good pitches and not. Remember only to go on when the weather and the conditions allow.
Thank you to everyone who met us that Friday morning. Thank you for the coffee and biscuits and for making me feel so welcome.
Best wishes to you all and good luck with the renovations this spring.
