Moorisde Cricket Club - Oldham

Moorside Cricket Club, Oldham, had an old double bay practice facility consisting of concrete bases  with a frame set into the concrete. Surfaces had been laid on the ground to provide bowling ends but the whole facility was deemed unsuitable for the clubs needs and ambitions. As a result they set about seeking quotations to replace this with a system that would meet ECB recommendations and requirements.

One drawback of the existing location was that it went towards the playing area and a frame meeting ECB minimum requirements would extend into the outfield. Adjacent to this was an area of unused land that had previously been a tennis court, so it was suggested that this would make an ideal location for an enclosed design that would enable the old concrete bases to be used as a storage area for the covers.

The area was stripped off and timber edgings installed to set the perimeter levels. With the sockets set in concrete the stone bases were constructed with a Premier system and a Test Match system for the batting ends. Superverde surfaces were fitted for the batting and bowling ends and Verdegrass 14 for the surrounds and run ups, creating a surfaced area of 34.00 x 8.00m.

The 42mm heavy duty frame and netting were erected to a total length of 32.94m with an 18.30m central division and roof. For safety the last bay of the outer frame has no net so that bowlers waiting at the end of the run ups can escape should balls be hit towards them.

Wrap around batting screens have been provided at the batting ends and an anti-vermin fabric installed around the outer perimeter, both fixed to wires with tension screws to enable the wires to be kept taught. As a safety feature and to increase stability the batting screens are fixed top and bottom to wires.