Sandy Park pitch has yearly overhaul

By Mark Stevens

Whilst the Exeter Chiefs squad make the most of their well-earned break following the exertions of another hard year of rugby in both the Premiership and in Europe, behind the scenes the grounds staff at Sandy Park are flat out working on the club's playing and training surfaces ahead of next season's campaign.

Just this week the top surface of the Sandy Park pitch was completely dug up before essential sandbanding work was overseen by Head Groundsman Adrian Witton, who was working alongside Cornish-based sports ground contractors, W R Sandow from Hayle.

The sandbanding work, which improves drainage, reduces compaction and aerates the soil, sees 90 tonnes of sand spread across the Sandy Park pitch and has been carried out for the past two summers. And the benefits of carrying out this process were clear to see earlier this year when Exeter and the Westcountry at large were hit with a sustained period of rainfall.

"It certainly helps the drainage of the pitch," explained Adrian. "What with all the rain we had during the earlier part of the year, had we not carried out this process last year - and the year before - I think we may have really struggled with the pitch."

As well as skimming the surface and the sandbanding work, Adrian and his assistant Max Sandford are already working on reseeding the pitch and ensuring the Chiefs have the perfect playing surface to play on next season.

Pictures of how the Sandy Park pitch will take shape will be posted over the coming weeks and months.