Magazine - Be wary of using glue

8 Aug 2006 by Grassman2011

Peter,
Thankyou very much for that information.
I only hope that every cricket groundsman that uses this message board reads this article twice.
Again thanks for the info, i only wish that there was more fothcoming from the boys at the very top.

8 Aug 2006 by mario

Thanks Peter.

Like most things new there is a danger that instead of it becoming part of the toolbox it becomes a fad and is misused.

As you say, caution is the watchword, and I can only agree with you!

I know no boundaries.

8 Aug 2006 by Mal

A good clarification of the situation and hopefully something that groundsmen will take on board before contemplating it's use

Geography is everywhere

9 Aug 2006 by Loammeister

Good article Pete, always interesting to know the facts.

As with everything new that gets trialled and comes under the media eye, there is a tendency to get a sensationalist response from the media bods which misleads the general groundscare family to see something new as the latest 'miracle cure'.

As Pete says he would only consider using PVA for a one day game, as
'the whole point of a three, four or five day game is that the conditions degenerate for both batsmen and bowlers.'

Long live the great traditions Pete!

And really good follow up comments about actual practice at club level from bath and mario, thanks guys.

The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train

9 Aug 2006 by penguin

A good reasoned comment and warning! It will be printed and circulated to my commitee who have heard of, and maybe read, the article in the recent Groundsman, and start all conversations with: 'what about glue.....'!
Thanks Peter!

14 Aug 2006 by wicketdevil

I have been worried about the new star glue and that everyone are so keen on, the pitch still has to be well prepared and some ive seen on telly look anything but with lots more grass than normal and poor bounce.
We should have a proper trial under english conditions before making such great claims.

Can you just is the longest sentence in the world !!!!!!!

14 Aug 2006 by Gar-du-nor

Thanks Pete, a very interesting article.

I have not used PVA so far. I am concerned about the possible longer-term affects of applications of PVA, particularly if it were to be used regularly. Pete mentions no adverse agronomic affects so far (good news!). Has anybody any different experience or comments from longer term use?

16 Aug 2006 by donone

Interesting article. I suspect that the current 'glue fad' will only last for so long. However, I also suspect that for smaller clubs where there is great demand on 'strips' being used a number of times in a season groundsmen will start to experiment, which in turn could lead to problems.

What Pete Marron does not tell you is that he uses GOSTD 125 grade top dressing, hence (one of the reasons) why Old Trafford is like concrete. As a club groundsman I too use this and, as opposed to other loams, the two features I notice are that at times, particularly in dryer conditions it is prone to becoming quite flaky on top and it is difficult to get new grass seed to grow, due to the higher clay content. Neither observation is a criticism of the product, 125 has served us very well over a number of years and has assisted in producing fast decent quality wickets.

Sorry to rabbit.... but the point I'm trying to make is that by gluing wickets, for the purpose of holding them together, could create additional work for stretched part time club groundsmen - the rationale being that a glued surface will in effect take a greater battering and therefore require a greater level of remedial and renovation work (post) season. The net effect being a more costly and intensive exercise in the long run. Time will tell if I'm right or not, I guess what I'm arguing for is caution.