Ruapehu cricket not on grass

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 570, 24 January 1995, Page 12

Ruapehu cricket not on grass

Volunteers put down an artificial wicket

It's just not cricket without a decent wicket, so a group of local enthusiasts have banded together to provide Ruapehu College and the community with an all- weather pitch. Volunteer labour, donations from the Ohakune Hotel Pub Charity fund, Winstone Pulp International and the Hillary Commission via the Ruapehu District Council have made the project possible, with the college making up any shortfall. The volunteers finished laying a concrete pad last week,.ready for the artificial turf, worth $5000, to be laid. Ruapehu Cricket Club representative

John Kennedy said the pitch wouid be great for their club' s cricket as well as the college teams. "With a regular bounce for a gi ven length, its much safer," he said. Because the bounce will be better, the players' confidence will improve and thus their skill. "You don't know where the ball's likely to go on mown grass — the kids will be able to judge it better and learn more." The artificial turf was chosen over natural because of the maintenance factor and weather, with players being able to use the artificial wicket five minutes after rain. A natural pitch could be out for days.