Rigby Taylor Praised At Northants: Cricket groundsmen all over the country faced challenging weather conditions this spring, and it was no different for Craig Harvey at Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, who was left playing catch-up in terms of pitch firmness, playability and presentation.

“But,” he says, “despite all the wet weather, we’ve managed to avoid any fungal diseases – which usually arise when the playing surfaces are covered up and the damp atmospheric conditions are effectively trapped.

“Being disease-free at the start of the season is undoubtedly due to the application of Rigby Taylor’s fungicides. I’ve always found a pre-season application of the product very important and very beneficial – this year especially so.”

Fusion – a broad spectrum contact fungicide with eradicant and preventative activity against Fusarium Patch, Dollar Spot and Red Thread, as well as a reduction of Anthracnose, Leaf Sport and Rust – is just one of a wide range of Rigby Taylor products that Craig uses to ensure the pitch remains at its best.

He joined the Northamptonshire team 17 years ago and was appointed head groundsman at the County Ground in 2016 as a 30-year-old, after a spell as deputy. He and his team have to work hard to accommodate a busy fixture list that extends through to the end of September hosting 1^st and 2^nd team cricket as well as tourists’ matches and recreational cricket.

“Everything we use on the square and outfield plus two net areas – main and secondary nutrients (on a monthly schedule – weather permitting), including Cal-Form, K-Form, Mag-Form and Magnet Velocity plus a liquid feed of 17-2-5 – is from Rigby Taylor. We also apply regular treatments of the company’s biostimulant, Activate XL, Maxicrop triple seaweed and add amino acids through applications of Amino-Form XL, as well as Rigby Taylor line marking paints – and we’ve used these products with fantastic results for as long as I can remember,” he continues.

“The products do exactly what they say they can do; a healthy sward is paramount to presentation, playability and recovery. Our fertiliser programme features Premier HG and Rigby Taylor’s new addition, Apex Organic with added humic acid. Most importantly, the products represent great value for money.

“In addition, I know I can call on Carl Chamberlain, Rigby Taylor’s Area Representative, at any time. He’s always available, at least by ‘phone, and will readily offer help and advice when needed. And I receive similar feedback about the company from my fellow head groundsmen who I’m in touch with.”

Craig admits that being appointed head groundsman “was a bit of a shock to the system; after being told what to do and when to do it for 15 years and then actually being charged with leading the team”. But it is clear to see that he – and the pitch – have thrived on the challenge.

“I have four young lads in my team plus a very experienced deputy in Mark Flecknor, coupled with me gaining my Level 3 accreditation. Because I was a youngster when I joined I know the importance of being happy in the job, so I aim to use my experiences to make their experiences enjoyable.”

While Craig and his team have this year certainly had to adapt to the variable weather patterns – having this year lost pre-season training and one pre-season game – the ground itself has undergone a period of change with, for example, a “badly-needed” new outfield being created at the end of last year, as he explains:

“The old outfield was suffering from undulations, was badly compacted and had high thatch levels, so we Koroed off the top 2.5 inches and made liberal use of the vertidrainer (to eight inches deep), used a Harley rake to break up the top 4-5 inches to create a tilth, then laser-levelled and box graded and oversowed with pure rye using R11 100% perennial rye. The square is R9 100% fine rye.”

Using top-performing cultivars, Rigby Taylor’s R range of seed boasts many attributes, including outstanding shade, drought and wear tolerance plus rapid establishment and high shoot density.

Craig again: “The next stage will be to install perimeter drainage – the square is slightly raised and it pulls moisture from the outfield so, in the meantime, we’re using Rigby Taylor’s Breaker wetting agent to resolve that problem.”

Explaining that the sward is usually kept at 13-15 mm high, Craig says that the team (three of whom are full-time) is kept busy on the 20 pitches, 12 of which are first-class pitches. “We also have two practice areas which, in total, equates to 36 practice surfaces.

He adds: “With a busy fixture list the pitch is under a lot of stress, and with the weather patterns as they are nowadays you can’t always stick to a plan.

“So, whatever we do and when we do it needs to make a difference, and must meet the demands of the players and the coaches. If we can continually do that then surely that in turn generates higher levels of job satisfaction for everyone involved. It’s a mantra that I install in the youngsters – Jake Bindley, Ben Buckland, Harry Tobin and Luke Stanton – even when we’re preparing the outfield and surrounds.

“I appreciate teamwork and there’s nothing better than everyone working together with the same aim. And I would include Rigby Taylor in that, because if the products fail then we fail, too!”

For more information, visit: www.rigbytaylor.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.