October Rugby Diary 2013

With the season well underway, most groundstaff will now have a better understanding of how their pitch is performing. (Picture right Minchinhampton v Cainscross).

Presentation and good management of your pitches is essential to maintain playability. The presentation of the pitch is important. If it looks tidy and well presented, with bands and stripes, it often inspires the players to perform and, more importantly, gives them a safe, consistent surface.

Soil based pitches, generally the heavy clay and clay/loam ones, will be susceptible to surface damage during wet weather, especially when the top 100mm becomes saturated. Soils, when saturated, lose their stability and strength. Damage from scrummage and line out play are the main causes of damage on rugby pitches during wet weather periods. The severity of the damage will be dependent on the soil type and the ability of the top 100mm to drain quickly.

Essential tasks to be undertaken in October are centred around preparing pitches for play and repairing; this will involve mowing, marking, divoting, brushing and carrying out some aeration practices.

Grass heights will vary depending on type of mowers used, however, most will be looking to maintain a height of cut between 25-75mm. Particular attention should be made when mowing and marking out.

Training areas will be prone to damage from specific training regimes, fast feet, scrum and line out drills; try and rotate the areas where these drills take place.

Keep machinery clean and serviced.

Keep an eye out for any disease outbreaks and treat accordingly.

Floodlights should be checked and serviced, make sure they are fit for purpose and safe. Portable lights are now becoming a popular choice as they can be moved around.

Many junior club pitches tend to have too much grass on their pitches. I see rugby pitches that are not cut on a regular basis and the grass length often exceeds 125mm - far too long, thus it becomes weak, straggly and often flattened after play or training.

Most senior clubs now maintain their pitches between 30-40mm, giving them a faster surface to play on.

Ensure your mowers have sharp, well-adjusted blades and that there are no oil leaks.

Check with the sports governing body (RFU) for any amendments to the laws and markings of the pitch. Care should be taken when initially marking out new lines, ensuring that they are true, straight and measured correctly, using the 3,4,5 method to achieve accurate angles.

Spray jet line markers are becoming more popular, with an ever increasing selection of line markers available.

At Pitchcare are pleased to announce the launch of a new spray jet machine the Graco Fieldlazer S90. The S90 Linemarker is a revolution in spray line marking. With Tilt-N-Pour removable hopper, one button operation and proven spray tips, the marker is designed for easy start up, use and cleaning, saving you both time and money. The S90 uses high-pressure technology and precision RAC 5 spray tips to provide a spray pattern that coats both sides of the grass blade, not the soil. The marker is equipped with a three - wheel base design for easy manoeuvrability around corner kicks, arcs, stencils and straight lines. The big turf tyres provide additional stability while making both curves and straight lines.

If the grass is maintained at a height above 50mm, it may better to mow the lines with a pedestrian rotary mower. This helps define the lines and prepare the surface for marking.

There are a number of machines available - wheel to wheel, spray jet, dry liners and aerosol markers. The choice will be dependent on cost, efficiency and the type of line you want. Use string lines to help keep lines straight.

Keeping your marking equipment in good order and clean will help you produce better quality lines; dirty and unkept markers tend to malfunction, drip and leak.

Regular brushing/sweeping will help keep the sward in good condition, particularly when done in the early mornings to remove the dew from the surface, thus reducing the ideal climatic conditions for disease to take hold.

Nutrients can be washed out of the soil profiles, particularly sandy soils. Maintaining a healthy sward is essential, so it is important to monitor the nutrient status of your soils.

Fertiliser treatment and turf tonics can be continued in accordance with your annual programme. If you haven't got a fertiliser programme, have your soil tested; try an independent soil analysis company for an impartial set of results.

Generally, autumn fertilisers will now have been applied but, because of the continuing mild weather, there is still time. The next opportunity to fertilise will come next spring when the soil and air temperatures rise.

Ideally, you should be considering a NPK fertliser product that is low in nitrogen.

Hand or machine aeration aids surface drainage, at varying depths of penetration to prevent the development of a soil pan. As last month, if there is opportunity to aerate, then do it.

Regular autumn aeration provides air space for the roots to expand into and allows the plant to breathe.

Achieving an improved root system will stand you in good stead for the coming winter months.

Harrowing/raking, especially after games, will help restore levels and keep surfaces open.