If the Tony Middo Strava challenge has revealed one thing, it’s that badgers love a walk down to the WRA. One of the big talking points this year has been the fantastic looking square. Almost bowling green in its appearance, this owes a lot to the key groundsmen Diddy and Dex. Today we sit down with Dex and get his thoughts.

Firstly, thanks for taking time out to chat with the RCC website, you are probably the busiest man I have ever met, what’s keeping you busy at the moment?

Now goose, cheers for the intro. Yeah, I am pretty snowed under with work at the moment, trying to do a million jobs with not enough time. Add to that trying to get to grips with pre-season pitch prep at Barmby and Rufforth, it’s never a dull day. I’m sure ill get to see the Mrs and sit down to do some Uni study at some point, she may even recognise me if I’m lucky.

As well as being top groundsman, you're also a key player for the club, how are you feeling ahead of the season?

Do you know what, I’m feeling excited! Last year was a write off for me (and obviously others) as I was isolating due to the Mrs treatment, so I was watching you all banter online and felt like little Timmy at the butchers window. I am raring to go, I’ve got the odd twinge, but I’m ready to throw myself about and pretend I know what I’m doing. One day ill learn the positions on the pitch.

Haha, you're that electric in the gully, I wouldn't worry about learning any other positions!

Now onto the topic at hand, RCC spent a reasonable sum of money to upgrade the square at the end of the season, can you give us a brief insight into the works that were done?

In short, we tore it to bits. We spent weeks stripping as much thatch (dead grass material) out of the pitch before it migrated into the pitch profile. That’s what really kills a pitch and gives uneven bounce, as you can never get the pitch rolled hard. Once we had worked ourselves to the bone, we got the big boys in with their tractor mounted gear to scarify again, chuck some seed down and finish the job. It was a big expense for a club our size, but we had the funds at the time and Diddy was keen, so we went for it. But I wont lie, my bum was nipping when I saw it.

The Rufforth deck has historically favoured the bowlers, do you think this will still be the case or could we see the rare sight of a ton at the WRA this year? (Not counting opposition knocks!)

Ha-ha, the lesser spotted Rufforth tonne. In all honesty, I don’t know. With pitch care it’s a bit of an evolution, there’s no overnight fixes. For the manpower and money available, Diddy and Al have maintained the pitch spot on. But your right, its always been a bit low and slow. I’m hoping to see some more even bounce over the next couple of seasons – but its marginal gains, so don’t expect the Waca just yet.

I think the big question on most minds are, when do you think we might see some practice wickets start to pop up?

Christ, you boys don’t want much do you?! To be fair it was frosty the other morning, so we have a bit to go yet. But you will be pleased to hear that Diddy has borrowed the roller keys from Dave Green and started pre season rolling, so its not too far away young goose… not far at all.

Last question, if you were to score a century this year, how would you celebrate?

If that ever happens, I imagine I will be struck down by the gods for crimes against cricket before I get chance to even lift my bat. But in all seriousness, I will probably take my top off, do a lap, run out of puff and cry.

If I can just take a second to extend special thanks to the lads, some serious effort gets put in when the bat signal goes up … and you even pretend to be interested. Cheers boys, here’s to a cracking season!

Many thanks to Dex for his insights. A busy man who gives us a lot of his time so that we can chase leather around on a Saturday! Huge thanks also to Pete 'Diddy' Atkinson and all who spend their spare time improving the playing fields.

As always any help with the ground is greatly appreciated and a club muck in day will be organised when restrictions allow.

Stay safe,