well I would guess that adding that much crumb to the playing surface it will make the ball bounce unnaturally like it did in the game,


I have never played on a surface like that one but would love to hear comments from the players that have

IMO they do change the surface, and last night it looked as the 2 ends played different. The Widnes kicking game changed in the 2nd half to cater for the difference, I dont think this was an off the cuff decision - they knew which game to play at which end.

The pitch is it self unnatural and i don't think the 'crumb' level will have that much influence on the bounce of the ball. The pitch leads to an unpredictable bounce regardless of how well it's maintained. They train on the pitch so you'd expect they would have a better insight into it just as we should at BV.

I think some of the lads had been mainlining the stuff the way the errors were coming up. I should imagine it is difficult to smoke because it will fall out of the roll up.

The 'crumb level' is a maintenance thing. Most of the time the pitch will be brushed to keep it even, but occassionally it will be topped up to allow for settlement / removal etc.

The level of the crumbs will have an effect on the bouce of the ball and, as with the effect of a divot on a grass pitch, an patch of disturbed crumb will affect the bounc also. It's not about gaining an advantage - other than understanding the nature of play.

I thought we did our homework really well and used the pitch well - we kept up a fast pace and quick ptb as much as possible - and the speed of play is vital on these surfaces.

I don't like the idea of doing away with grass - especially as how well the technology has imporved for turf over the years - but I can understand the business decision behind its use. In fairness there have been some poor examples of grass pitches in recent years as well - the Galpharm is still not great (hybrid system) and Danny Cowling tweeted recently to ask if anyone could return the grass from the Keepmoat!

Maybe i'm old fashioned but I think rugby should be played on grass, end of!

And going by the picture of Peter Foxs' knee after the game on twitter I imagine he does as well!

I've only ever played 5-a-side football on a surface like it and it does take some getting used to. It feels like you're running on a sprung surface. We were told you could wear moulded studs but I found indoor 5-a-side pimples to be a much better option as they seem to provide a lot more traction. The black rubber crumbs get everywhere!

If you listen to the sky commentary (a horrible experience I know) they do mention that the pitch had been filled in more this year which would imply that Widnes can change the 'crumb' level.

We occasionally train on an all weather pitch and its just very unpleasant for rugby, get back to grass!

Widnes added four tonnes of black crumb to the I(njury) pitch the day before playing Warrington.

Saves them money, means the pitch can be useable by many community groups. I don't see the great negative in it really.

If we had one at Newmarket, and the costs saved helped the club grow, would we be against it?

Just seems to be an easy excuse for players, fans and coaches to have a whinge at. A rugby ball bounces oddly because of it's shape.

Quite a few Widnes fans seem to be cursing it, added to that lots of injuries seem to be coming from the surface.


So yes i think i would be agianst it at Newmarket.

does anyone know why the players keep getting cut after falling on the ipitch? is it because the blades of grass are plastic which in turn is causing friction burns and cuts?