Old Campaigner- New Season

By David Markham

After a lifetime in cricket, former Headingley Groundsman, Keith Boyce is looking forward to the new season as eagerly as ever.

Keith is now Groundsman at the much-admired Yorkshire Academy headquarters at the New Rover Cricket Club at Adel in North Leeds.

No one welcomed the first onset of spring in West Yorkshire this week than Keith as he prepares for the new season a little over a month away.

He said: "It has been very wet in February, but I have just eased the covers off the square this week and I have started to prepare for the start of the season.

"There are now signs that spring is not too far away. At the moment I am doing some steady rolling with a 600wt roller to steady the surface down after the winter.

"It will take a bit rolling, but there are certain areas where you cannot go. You have got to be selective.

"I am looking forward to the season. The weather is just starting to get a bit warmer and the temptation is to try to step up the preparation.

"I want to keep an eye on the square to check whether there is any moss on it. I don't want to see it on the square. It is something you must deal with quickly. I haven't seen any yet, but if I do I will give it a precautionary spray.