Re: 4G v Grass
Posted by: joethefanatic (IP Logged)
Date: 11 March, 2019 19:57
Quote:1876-Fez
I think the suggestion is that IF the get planning to redevelop the REC the pitch will be raised a couple of feet .... perhaps a visiting Bath fan could confirm?
Yep and a DESSO pitch - we are keeping everything crossed cos we've waited 20 years for this and we've been disappointed before. But rugby is a winter game and you have to be able to adapt to the surface you've got. Many clubs have reservations about the home advantages of a 4G surface so its swings and roundabouts.
... IMHO, of course.
Now in Honolulu
Re: 4G v Grass
Posted by: 1876-Fez (IP Logged)
Date: 11 March, 2019 20:49
Quote:joethefanaticQuote:1876-Fez
I think the suggestion is that IF the get planning to redevelop the REC the pitch will be raised a couple of feet .... perhaps a visiting Bath fan could confirm?
Yep and a DESSO pitch - we are keeping everything crossed cos we've waited 20 years for this and we've been disappointed before. But rugby is a winter game and you have to be able to adapt to the surface you've got. Many clubs have reservations about the home advantages of a 4G surface so its swings and roundabouts.
Many thanks, let's hope you finally get approval after that long wait....
We had no real choice in the matter if we wanted AzP as our home. On a personal level I prefer grass but can see 1st hand the benefits of 4g.
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Re: 4G v Grass
Posted by: ashtonshark (IP Logged)
Date: 12 March, 2019 10:20
Get it right and grass can still be excellent even in the depths of winter. Not too much to brag about at Sale in the last few years but I do maintain that out pitch has been consistently the best grass surface in the league for a while now. Even with the Manchester weather plus Salford Reds and Sale playing on it, it is still in almost perfect condition now. Take a look at the match highlights on the Prem Rugby site.
It can be done and there was obviously some very good prep work done when the pitch was laid.
Bath is an absolute sh1thole of a ground. Best location in the league, absolutely beautiful, but worst ground by far.
It can be done and there was obviously some very good prep work done when the pitch was laid.
Bath is an absolute sh1thole of a ground. Best location in the league, absolutely beautiful, but worst ground by far.
Re: 4G v Grass
Posted by: nedrichards (IP Logged)
Date: 12 March, 2019 11:21
ashtonshark: agreed, I think you're likely helped by the stadium design as well, and not putting large events on the pitch in the summer like Tigers did a couple of years back. It absolutely can be done, but getting a good grass pitch needs an ongoing investment (same as 4G, Sarries had to have ours replaced early). Sarries are certainly very familiar with that as the Vicarage Road pitch varied dramatically over the years as Watford's fortunes ebbed and flowed (and, as I remember was also one of the first few desso pitches in rugby, but I could be wrong there).
Re: 4G v Grass
Posted by: AlanE (IP Logged)
Date: 12 March, 2019 11:25
Quote:nedrichards
ashtonshark: agreed, I think you're likely helped by the stadium design as well, and not putting large events on the pitch in the summer like Tigers did a couple of years back. It absolutely can be done, but getting a good grass pitch needs an ongoing investment (same as 4G, Sarries had to have ours replaced early). Sarries are certainly very familiar with that as the Vicarage Road pitch varied dramatically over the years as Watford's fortunes ebbed and flowed (and, as I remember was also one of the first few desso pitches in rugby, but I could be wrong there).
I think you are right there, Ned. When VR was relaid in the Summer of 98 there was a lot of fuss made about it being interwoven with plastic mesh to stabilise the roots and make it fit for both rugby and football. Whether that was the same as Desso (as trademarked) I have no idea.
I was 17 miles from Graybridge before I was caught by the school leopard
Re: 4G v Grass
Posted by: ashtonshark (IP Logged)
Date: 12 March, 2019 11:31
I think the AJ Bell pitch has that interwoven thingy. I've also seen those big artificial sunlight gantries down there as well. Pretty lucky to have use of those
Some events are planned for the AJ bell so we'll see how it stands up to those.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/2019 11:41 by ashtonshark.
Some events are planned for the AJ bell so we'll see how it stands up to those.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/2019 11:41 by ashtonshark.
Re: 4G v Grass
Posted by: nedrichards (IP Logged)
Date: 12 March, 2019 13:32
A quick google revealed that yes, it was absolutely desso.
Quote:After 13 years of intensive use of their Desso GrassMaster stadium pitch, Watford FC again chooses hybrid grass for its Vicarage Road Stadium. The surface was reconstructed by J Mallinson (Ormskirk) Limited.
A perfectly stable and durable field is of great importance to Vicarage Road Stadium, since it is not only home to Watford Football Club, the stadium is also host to Saracens Rugby Union Club. With Desso GrassMaster hybrid grass, the venue is perfectly able to handle a combined schedule of football and rugby games like it has done over the past decade.
Re: 4G v Grass
Posted by: AlanE (IP Logged)
Date: 12 March, 2019 16:51
Quote:nedrichards
A quick google revealed that yes, it was absolutely desso.Quote:After 13 years of intensive use of their Desso GrassMaster stadium pitch, Watford FC again chooses hybrid grass for its Vicarage Road Stadium. The surface was reconstructed by J Mallinson (Ormskirk) Limited.
A perfectly stable and durable field is of great importance to Vicarage Road Stadium, since it is not only home to Watford Football Club, the stadium is also host to Saracens Rugby Union Club. With Desso GrassMaster hybrid grass, the venue is perfectly able to handle a combined schedule of football and rugby games like it has done over the past decade.
As I recall it was excellent at the beginning but wore out and should have been replaced / restored earlier than it was. Funnily enough, despite the football supporters complaining of rugby ruining their pitch, the worst of the wear seemed to develop in the goalmouths and centre circle of a football set-up.
Happy days!
I was 17 miles from Graybridge before I was caught by the school leopard
Re: 4G v Grass
Posted by: Highbury Saracen (IP Logged)
Date: 12 March, 2019 18:30
As a quick footnote Watford's pitch was voted best in premier league last season
European champions 2016 & 2017
European champions 2016 & 2017
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