As we creep towards the mid point of the season, it seems all the pre-season preparations on the Nevill Sports Ground cricket squares, outfields and perimeters are paying dividends.

The top 4 divisions have assigned matchday umpires who adjudicate games but also asses a club against a set of ECB & Sussex Cricket League criteria, known as 'Pitch Marks'.

Pitch marks are awarded for the quality & performance of the wicket and the presentation of the ground and each is marked out of twenty [20].

For a recent Men's 1st XI home game we were awarded 19/20 for our wicket and 19/20 for our ground provision. These are the highest ever awarded to B&H CC and are a testament to the investments and hard work that goes on behind the scenes at the club. The icing on the cake was the award of the GOLD standard for our scoring facilities which will have been helped with our wonderful new East Square electronic scoreboard.

“We’ve had a history of ups and downs with pitch marks” says Andy Scott, Grounds Manager, "…. and whilst pitch marks are subjective it looks like we have turned a corner and are on track to provide excellent all round match day wickets”. Andy goes on to say “Our biggest club expenditure is the ground so its also important we repay our faith that the club committee and membership have shown in investing heavily in ground equipment and renovations over the past few years”.

Both Andy Scott and Daniel Marston work ridiculously hard to constantly improve the standard of pitches, while keeping the outfields and perimeters looking good. As a club we know the Nevill is never going to be everyones favourite ground, especially on a windy day, but its ours and we are very proud of it.