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Replay takes new cork infill pitch in their stride

February 3, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Home to a total of 25 teams, the facilities at Newmarket Town FC are certainly put through their paces. In early 2016, a £750,000 upgrade was made to install a new artificial pitch, one of the first full size pitches in the UK to have cork infill. To protect and maximise the lifespan of their […]

Cricketer’s impressive juggling act

February 3, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

The Southland Cricket Association groundsman has had a tough assignment in the past couple of weeks battling the wet weather while trying to prepare a pitch for Southland’s Hawke Cup showdown against Mid Canterbury in Invercargill this weekend. That alone is a challenge. But added to that is Osborne himself is preparing to line up […]

Replay takes new cork infill pitch in their stride

February 3, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Cricketer’s impressive juggling act

February 3, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

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Replay takes new cork infill pitch in their stride

February 3, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

Filling a pitch with cork is becoming more common throughout continental Europe as an alternative to rubber and carries a number of benefits; its 100% organic from a renewable source; it doesn’t absorb water helping to keep the surface free draining; it’s odourless and from an aesthetic point of view, it plays and looks like a natural football pitch.

“It took 2 years of research before we decided to go for the pitch we did” explained Graham. “We visited a number of sites including a facility with cork infill at a school in Barnes and we knew straight away that’s what we wanted. It also migrates less, meaning that from a maintenance perspective it’s a lot more manageable. We can conduct regular in-house brushing to keep the infill level, but to perform a more thorough clean we needed to look for an external specialist. We contacted a number of companies and were particularly impressed with the service and expertise Replay could offer. Although this is a new project and infill type for Replay, the company has invested in state-of-the art units that can cope with different infill types including cork.

Steven Spence, Operations Manager at Replay Maintenance commented, “The uprated REVIVE PRO machine and process gives us a whole host of additional benefits. These include more horsepower enabling us to fully de-compact a surface without the need for tines – thanks to the increased control and productivity at the brush-head. It also features an uprated turbine for increased vacuum capacity and dust/detritus separation and of course the all-important cab to safeguard our Operative against noise and the elements.”

With approximately 35 hours of use per week, and that looking to increase next year, the maintenance is going to be vital to keep the surface safe and playing to its full potential. “Replay have been in twice so far,” says Graham, “and each time the work has been thorough and when they’ve left the surface has looked as immaculate as it did when it was first installed – we’ve been really impressed with the work they have carried out. All in all we’re absolutely delighted with the whole pitch and particularly the cork infill. With the
two-pronged maintenance taking place there’s no reason why we shouldn’t reach the maximum expected lifespan our investment offers.”

Cricketer’s impressive juggling act

February 3, 2017/in Press Release/by Admin

That alone is a challenge.

But added to that is Osborne himself is preparing to line up in the game for Southland.

He’s a key figure in the Southland setup with both bat and ball and is juggling that with his duties as the groundsman.

He has spent a fair bit of time at Queens Park of late, whether it be pulling covers on or off, rolling the pitch, or squeezing in his own training commitments.

“It’s been pretty busy just trying to get some rolling in when the showers clear and getting the covers on and off.”

Come game day on Saturday Osborne will take a step back from his groundsman duties with coach Steve Jackson wanting him to focus on the game rather than juggling marking and rolling the pitch between innings.

Osborne’s work mates at Southland Cricket will step in and help.

“Jacko wants me to focus on just playing. I’ll get it ready and they can take care of it on game day so I can just focus on the cricket. It should work out quite well.”

Southland has what might be a unique advantage which most cricket teams don’t have by including the groundsman in the team.

“I guess there will be a bit of inside info there,” Osborne joked.

Osborne only took on the SCA groundsman job in September and he was loving the challenge.

“It’s been bloody good, I’m learning as I go. We’ve got a Volts [one-day] game in a couple of weeks so it is pretty full on at the moment.”

On the playing front, he is in his third season in the Southland Hawke Cup team after he made his debut towards the end of the 2014/15 season.

He said it was exciting being part of the dramatic first up outright win this season against Otago Country last weekend.

“It was unreal, it was magic sort of feeling being part of that.”

Southland have brought Marist captain Jeremy Boyle into the 12 for this weekend’s two-day game against Mid Canterbury.

The spinner has been a consistent performer in club cricket in recent seasons.

Jarred McKenzie is the only player missing from the win over Otago Country and is likely to be replaced by James Ng at the top of the order.

To read the original article, click here

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Replay takes new cork infill pitch in their stride

Cricketer’s impressive juggling act

Replay takes new cork infill pitch in their stride

Cricketer’s impressive juggling act

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Replay takes new cork infill pitch in their stride

Cricketer’s impressive juggling act

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