Pitch Inspections

[Guest Alex Haste]

Are Pitch inspections done to early sometimes???

Really looking forward to a much anticipated game at Blazey today unfortunataly cancelled, looking outside the ground has returned to normal.

What is the latest a pitch inspection can be done by??? and with Pitches like St Blazey can kick off times be slightly suspended til a later time on the same day allowing more time for pitches to thaw!!!!!!

[whuru]

hi alex, the problem is that although the frost has gone off the top of the pitches about an inch down because they have been frozen for 7 or 8 days it is still rock hard underneath the surface and won't take a stud. I know alot of refs use a golf tee and if it goes into the ground easily then the games on. You have to take into account players safety, i remember many years back playing at Gravesend when the players forced the ref to start the game in the hope of it defrosting as the game went on and within 5 minutes a player slipped and his shoulderblade ended up near the top of his head.

It also a case of trying to let the opposition know as early as possible so as to save them a wasted journey.

I have just walked across Perranporths pitch and couldn't even dig my heel in........