Creating a cricket pitch in Herm

by Dell Sat 02 Oct 2010, 3:08 pm

Moss Field in Herm overlooks the humps and Alderney

While it may be known for its beaches and hot weather, Herm has never been known as a centre for sport.

This was set to change in late 2010 and 2011 as not only did their football team make their debut but a cricket pitch was constructed on the island. The pitch was made for a charity match organised by Lord's Taverners in 2011 and located in Moss Field.

Island manager, Jonathan Watson, said: "It takes a lot of time to create... it's a challenge for our gardeners." Jonathan added that to reduce the amount of time needed to construct the pitch they installed a false wicket in the field around which the island's team of gardeners created the in and out field areas.

Creating a cricket pitch in Herm _49278433_cimg1061

The team in Herm said the field would take a lot of hard work to prepare

Herm's head gardener Brett Moore said, "it's lots of hard work" and explained they had to cut the grass down, level the field off and re-seed the grass to make sure it was of good quality. He added that even t a false wicket still required maintenance once it was in place.

The location of the pitch was chosen in Moss Field on the top of the island's eastern side from a few options and though the field slopes off at one end, it was the best one for the job.

Before finalising the location Jonathan said former England captain Mike Gatting visited the site and said the slope was: "A quirk and a 'Hermism' of the field." As well as the pitch the island's management team are planning on putting nets on one side of the field for the local children to practice on. Jonathan said: "There's quite a lot of fanatic youngsters on the island already."

He added that he hoped the new pitch could be used for more events, including youth games, in the future and could develop another side of Herm's current offering.

From BBC News.

.