Even if the pitch has slight detrinmental effects via grazing, so long as this can be avoided by using minimal protection for knees and elbows, this has to be the way forward. The economic benefits to the club are potentially huge, and it makes ground-sharing a much more viable proposition - look at the mess Headingley's pitch was on Friday after a winter of RU.

Criticism of Mathers seems a bit unfair. He obviously felt strongly that something should be said, but not via some official complaint. In the BBC interview he's basically said what the more rational amongst us are saying - give the pitch a chance, and lets hope the extreme effects were down to ice. IMO Widnes are being a bit defensive when they needn't - lets all just wait and see.

Is there a case for these? www.footballamerica.com/catalog/ ... SEQ_1262|0

Is there a case for these? www.footballamerica.com/catalog/ ... SEQ_1262|0

Quote ="Steve Fox"Is there a case for these? www.footballamerica.com/catalog/ ... SEQ_1262|0'" The padding on them is on the thighs. I don't even think that would be necessary. Skins on the legs would be more than enough (that's essentially all they have on those padded shorts anyway). I think if this weekend has shown us anything, it's that playing rugby in minus-degrees will ruin the skin on your knees. We shouldn't be talking about whether it's safe to play on the iPitch, but whether it's safe to play in extremely cold conditions. Should there be a call for players to HAVE to wear skins in temperatures like this? If you give players "the choice" they usually take the dumb "pride" option. Sometimes you need to make the decision to look after those that can't look after themselves.

Quote ="Steve Fox"Is there a case for these? www.footballamerica.com/catalog/ ... SEQ_1262|0'" The padding on them is on the thighs. I don't even think that would be necessary. Skins on the legs would be more than enough (that's essentially all they have on those padded shorts anyway). I think if this weekend has shown us anything, it's that playing rugby in minus-degrees will ruin the skin on your knees. We shouldn't be talking about whether it's safe to play on the iPitch, but whether it's safe to play in extremely cold conditions. Should there be a call for players to HAVE to wear skins in temperatures like this? If you give players "the choice" they usually take the dumb "pride" option. Sometimes you need to make the decision to look after those that can't look after themselves.

I think it is imperative that Widnes defend their new £0.5m pitch that has received unjustified criticism after one game on it in freezing conditions where players from other clubs playing on different surfaces received similar injuries!

For once Stevo hit the nail on the head with this one. In Australia they cope with far worse pitches during the start of the year. A bit of Vaseline does it.

Unless the use of petroleum based lubricants has a detrimental effect on the polymer surface

Players will complain that they are slipping on it

For those moaning about the iPitch, check out the conditions these kids have to play in in Jamaica: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ME5bXs ... re=related

For those moaning about the iPitch, check out the conditions these kids have to play in in Jamaica: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ME5bXs ... re=related

Quote ="headhunter"For those moaning about the iPitch, check out the conditions these kids have to play in in Jamaica: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ME5bXs ... re=related'" Completely irrelevant and stupid point as usual. Congratulations on being consistent.

Quote ="headhunter"For those moaning about the iPitch, check out the conditions these kids have to play in in Jamaica: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ME5bXs ... re=related'" Completely irrelevant and stupid point as usual. Congratulations on being consistent.

they all seem to have 7 pads, or at least capacity for 7 pads; 'tail', 2 x hips, 2 x thighs & 2 x knees.

i think it will be a roaring success....it looks lovely.

The ones I looked at didn't look very padded in the knees, but could just be how it's intended.

I think the rest is unnecessary to be fair.

I noticed a few Wakey lads wearing skins on Sunday, including Mr Mathers

Like i said just a couple of tubigrips on the knees and elbows and job done.

mate of mine played football on it monday night, wasn't very complimentary about it,

that and whoever was in charge turned the floodlights out before they'd finished playing

Quote ="headhunter"For those moaning about the iPitch, check out the conditions these kids have to play in in Jamaica: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ME5bXs ... re=related'" We'd probably sign half of them given the chance. Lets hope Betts doesn't watch it

Quote ="headhunter"For those moaning about the iPitch, check out the conditions these kids have to play in in Jamaica: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ME5bXs ... re=related'" We'd probably sign half of them given the chance. Lets hope Betts doesn't watch it

That would honestly be the first time I have ever heard of anyone playing football on it complaining!

Looks like there may be a few sports looking at these new ipitch's - Including English football. I would guess that Widnes' pitch would be under scrutiny from people other than RL fans and officials. Widnes are even named in this article.

Artificial pitches a step closer to a return in English football:
[urlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17064905[/url

For all the pro's and cons mentioned up to now about the pitch its sound investment for the club. www.trustinwidnes.com/forum/inde ... 811.0.html It cost £500,000, will make around £200,000 in revenue a year and we wont have to relay it. Fantastic work by the club imo combined with the monthly stronghold membership. Widnes Vikings will be a sustainable club for many years to come thanks to SOC

For all the pro's and cons mentioned up to now about the pitch its sound investment for the club. www.trustinwidnes.com/forum/inde ... 811.0.html It cost £500,000, will make around £200,000 in revenue a year and we wont have to relay it. Fantastic work by the club imo combined with the monthly stronghold membership. Widnes Vikings will be a sustainable club for many years to come thanks to SOC

I guess that remains to be seen.

Well from this recent month every night of the week, the pitch has been utilised by the community. Like you said it still remains to be seen however providing nothing spectacular goes wrong, we're in for a winner.

From a business stance it's a brilliant, brilliant investment already (pitch is in full use every night including club sponsored touch rugby) and one a clubs such as your own would love to have, without question!

We have been the first to go in and thus are getting all the injury questions etc etc. But trust me until the pitch is PROVED to cause any extra damage than any other surface I'd say a lot of other clubs will be seriously looking at getting one themselves, especially those who are still to move into new stadia.

Quote ="Viva La Vikings!!"For all the pro's and cons mentioned up to now about the pitch its sound investment for the club. www.trustinwidnes.com/forum/inde ... 811.0.html It cost £500,000, will make around £200,000 in revenue a year and we wont have to relay it. Fantastic work by the club imo combined with the monthly stronghold membership. Widnes Vikings will be a sustainable club for many years to come thanks to SOC '" Where does the idea that it won't need to be replaced come from? Artificial turf, provided they haven't invented some wonder material, will wear out just like any other artificial surface will. Give it 5 years and it won't look as lush as it is now? Surely it will be worn down and damaged through use? Look at most astro turf pitches, covered in sand now because the blades have all disappeared.

Quote ="Viva La Vikings!!"For all the pro's and cons mentioned up to now about the pitch its sound investment for the club. www.trustinwidnes.com/forum/inde ... 811.0.html It cost £500,000, will make around £200,000 in revenue a year and we wont have to relay it. Fantastic work by the club imo combined with the monthly stronghold membership. Widnes Vikings will be a sustainable club for many years to come thanks to SOC '" Where does the idea that it won't need to be replaced come from? Artificial turf, provided they haven't invented some wonder material, will wear out just like any other artificial surface will. Give it 5 years and it won't look as lush as it is now? Surely it will be worn down and damaged through use? Look at most astro turf pitches, covered in sand now because the blades have all disappeared.

It does have a 5-10 year life expectancy on it depending on how well it's maintained I believe. But compare that to the old Stobart pitch that needed doing once a year it's still a huge plus and I doubt a relaid surface would need the full £500k job either.

I refer the right honourable gentleman to my previous response.