As part of Newark RUFC’s ongoing commitment to providing the best facilities in the East Midlands, a significant programme of improvement works is well underway on Pitch 2 — and the results are already looking promising.

Building on What Works

Those with a good memory will recall the work carried out on Pitch 1 a couple of years ago, when the centre of the pitch was raised to create a crown — a tried and tested method for improving surface drainage and playability. That work has proven highly effective, and so the decision was made to replicate the process on Pitch 2 this closed season.

The project was initially scoped out with David Rhodes, and it quickly became clear that there was an opportunity to do something even more comprehensive.

Tackling the North End Drainage Problem

Anyone who has spent time at Kelham Road will know that the north end of Pitch 2 has always been slow to clear after flooding — a persistent frustration. Bringing Dan Laird into the planning discussions proved to be a game-changer. Dan devised a scheme to install a series of land drains across the north end of the pitch, all connected and terminating in a sump culvert in the corner near Pitch 4. The plan is simple but effective: in the days and weeks following flooding, water will be pumped out of the culvert and directed north towards the boundary hedge line — and, as one of the team cheerfully puts it, helped on its way to Hull!

Free Topsoil — A Remarkable Contribution

Once the trenches were backfilled, David and Dan set about cultivating the pitch surface, removing a couple of high spots and levelling things off in preparation for the next phase. That next phase came in the form of 300 tonnes of topsoil, delivered to site completely free of charge courtesy of Weston Mill Farming Company. This incredibly generous contribution was made possible through the efforts of Richard Staniforth and Mike Hewson, and the club is enormously grateful to both of them.

Days of Hard Graft

What followed was a real labour of love. Dan spent many days working the surface and levelling off the topsoil, before he and David then spent many more days cultivating and working it down to a fine tilth. The finishing touch came on the last day of May, when David reseeded the entire surface.

A Heartfelt Thank You

The club would like to extend its sincerest thanks to Mike Hewson, Richard Staniforth, David Rhodes, and Dan Laird for the extraordinary time, skill, and effort they have given to this project. This is exactly the kind of dedication and generosity that makes Newark RUFC the club it is.

What Comes Next

Right now, Pitch 2 is brown — but not for long. Over the coming weeks, as the seed takes hold, we fully expect to see it turn green. The irrigation team will be kept busy through the summer months, nurturing the new surface and getting it ready for competitive play when the new season begins.

Watch this space — Pitch 2 is going to be well worth the wait.

David Pick.
Facilities Director.