Message Board - Natural Turf: Rugby pitch repair
31 Jan 2004 by bridgfordian
Rugby pitch repair
We have a very badly worn area on our rugby pitch approx 30mts by 10 mts with the 22' running straight through the middle. The tops gone with loss levels etc would it be possible to returf the area bearing in mind that it would be played on poss every Sat/Sun until end of April.We looking to get surface levels back since its looks like a bog due to loss of grass and the weather.
Returf is the only answer I can think of but any other solutions with possible costs would be most welcome 
2 Feb 2004 by BC
rugby pitch repair
Conventional turfing without the depth length or width to secure and stabilize it would be dangerous and risky particularly for rugby in the scrums and rucks (even some reasonably well kept pitches give way or divot heavily under such conditions) and particularly in the colder weather when growth is poor.
As suggested above, the turf either needs to be accompanied by a reasonable chunk of rootzone, 50mm is enough if you have turf a metre or wider and basically the longer the better and better still a combination of both.
I am fortunate as I have ready grown stabilized turf which we cut 1m x 10m using a special harvester. These turves are instantly playable and I haven't had one move yet. (we play four games of rugby a week)
This however in most cases means contracting out for specific equipment and services and is expensive at any level.
The area you describe and your playing schedule would lead me to suggest getting the grass backat this time of year as difficult but you could try and maybe your efforts would be rewarded once you get out of the current alaskan summer.
I would personally concentrate on the levels ensuring the pitch is safe and playable. If it really does become asthetically intolerable then go with a re turf but think big as comprimise will let you down in this situation.
I intend to live forever, so far so good...
2 Feb 2004 by bridgfordian
rugby pitch repair
Thanks for replies guys.
My main concern is that within this area there are footmarks ankle deep that have froze and then flooded and I have nothing suitable to roll it with.Should I wait until condition is suitable to try to put levels back ?.
2 Feb 2004 by BC
rugby pitch repair
When I worked in the scots premier league many moons ago and visited a few other grounds who did not have undersoil heating or covers I was amazed to see that sometimes the first job the groundsman did was roll the pitch (with pedstrian mower like a mastiff).
However whilst going against text book practice this was exactly the right thing to do in this particular situation as the pitch would freeze often for several days and jagged edges of footmarks would lead a ref with no hesitation but to cancel the subsequent fixture. Our employers do not want cancellations under most circumstances. At the end of the day you can play on a denuded but smooth and level pitch but not a frozen jagged one or one with dangerous levels. If canopy coverage is already lost in this area you have nothing to fear about steaming in to do levelling work. So long as everyone concerned knows the reasons for what you are doing it should be fine.
Of course I am just generalising because I do not know your soil texture, situation or a hundred other things but safety and playability are paramount at every level and there is no excuse for them not being delivered, poor asthetics can always be explained and do not cause player inury.
You can certainly wait for more favourable conditions but so long as levelling has been done before the next play commences.
I intend to live forever, so far so good...
2 Feb 2004 by Anthony Asquith
rugby pitch reoair
can anyone tell me would harrowing be suitable for this situation?
2 Feb 2004 by bridgfordian
rugby pitch repairs
Thanks again Matt.
I know I should not roll but pitch is not repaired after use i.e after matches and training Tues and Thurs p.m..I have taken on myself to try to spike and slitt when I can.I'm only surpose to be marking out the lines every week but part of it is cricket outfield and I do not wish to be beyond repair in the spring also if its flat its easier to mark the lines.If I could get rid of surface water and then spread some sand and then tried to put levels back would this work? other parts of pitch could do with a sand dressing (to keep costs down).Its to boggy to walk on at the moment .
2 Feb 2004 by Chris Parry
Rugby Pitch Repairs
Try to hand divot first, lifting and levelling the low areas.
Sand top dress and trulute in.
Harrow/brush area if possible- for tractor to go over area without damaging the surface.
If costs can be met- verti-drain (£350-£500).
And re-top dress the worse areas trying to get as much of the sand down the vert-drain holes.
2/3 days before the next game lightly roll the surface.
If you can acquire any water proof sheets or tarpaulins then put over the areas that are prone to water logging.
As to chain harrowing this can help but depends on weather and ground conditions. Rainfall/waterlogged areas harrowing can drag out grass and mud and leave the pitch "smeared" from the soil. but rainfall can wash this off the grass leaf.Can also "seal" the surface so aerate as soon as conditions fair.
Hope this all helps!
2 Feb 2004 by Hipper
Rugby repairs
Agree with Chris. 300sq metres is feasable to hand fork, although I'd estimate it would take between 6 to 8 hours for one person to complete; maybe you can find some volunteers!? Then use sports sand top dressing, brushing it doen the holes with a stiff broom. To keep the levels you could brush using cricket drag brush. Keep the sand off the 22m line, particularly if your line marker is a wheel transfer type.
Some rugby players do not like sand on the surface of their pitches as it gets on their hands and then maybe in their eyes.
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