Central League

I also forgot Petone memorial and Redwood park although apparently that's still not flash. Back then the best grounds were Blue Water(park island), Endeavour and Yarrow Stadium. May have missed a decent one or two as well

so you basically saying all gounds besides Endeavour in Wellington are sharkte?

Everything these days seems to be turf - but even then Wakefield is still one of the worst grounds in Wellington

Do they still use Southgate park (never did for senior games but I remember playing there in Open B or div 6 whatever they called it that year and it was probably the worst I've ever played on)

Delaney Park in Stokes Valley and Naenae Park in the depths of winter . They take some beating

Reminds me of a previous thread

https://www.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/regional-football-powered-by-park-life/topics/best-no-worst-surfaces-in-wellington

Awakairangi Swamp

Now retired

Naenae undergoing a pile of work currently.  It will probably still be shark but hopefully less shark.

The new pitch is not too far off being a square. But the surface seems better than previous years, although it hasn't been tested properly yet.

In theory that is temporary while they rebuild everything to the East of the wicket block.

Theory.

the nail on the head.

"the wicket block" Karori Newland's to name a few all have issues that stem from cricket blocks and until we get this accommodated so that both codes win and get what they need then these grounds will stay questionable if the weather is not favourable during the season.

A good sand base ground with no block is best for football as west's endeavour park has shown over the years since it was created.

newtown park and Mar's centennial used to be the only two in the days of old but this had started to change and then came this artificial option that the council's really like as the management of them is so much easier than grass as it seems the costs are not the major factor but the management of work and the skills to maintain these new fields as well as equipment required to do the work.

plastic grass is not mowed but can be raked and weather is not a issue for the rake to be used but the mower has limits of operation that can cause head aches for managers and the like.

less skilled staff needed also a plus.

some of the talk from ex grounds men i have talked too might be bitter and tainted out of loss of a career but i have had the same story from some ex council staff who are in a better place and they also tell the same story.

The acid is going to come on some of the early turf pitches soon when they reach their re-turfing dates (8 years iirc) and nobody wants to pay for it.

Is there an authoritative body administering this? If it is on private land, as opposed to Council owned, is it merely a commercial recommendation and the buyer can choose to re-turf or not after that time?

all council. By nobody he means council/ tax payers

Hmm not true. Some of them are jointly owned or there are agreements in respect of operating expenses. I'm thinking the CF one at Petone, the one at Wellington College and perhaps also the one behind St Pats. Those are all relatively new mind you.

Wakefield must just about be due? Last time I was there the grass was almost compacted flat into a tennis court type surface!

Te Whaea and Nairnville both before Wakey.

Anyone able to shed some light on what happened? Did ncr just not get off the bus or did stop out play really well or a bit of both?

Double header weekend  - CL and Chatham cup. Cancel the holiday.

Didn't Stop out have good results against them last year as well?  Maybe Coach Sambrook just has NCR figured.

Beat them up in Napier IIRC

Only Petone beat NCR last year.  They also had a draw but I can't recall who it was against

Wests. 3-3.

Quite right. The draw was against Wests.  Man how far have Petone fallen in a season.

No lost 3-1 both home and away

In a Greenie way?

Pockets involved?

Seems like an implausible number. Perhaps across the last two seasons since G took over I guess, but he was brought in with a mandate to update the squad I think.

It's amazing how consistent they have been in the past few year. Never really flirted with relegation since they were promoted in 2008. Fewest points they've had is 22. Most goals conceded was 39. Already had 31 after 7 games.

This year they've lost a couple of really good strong central league players - who would have been in most central league squads - and picked up youth instead. Which can be great, but doesn't seem to be working for them at the minute.

With results going the way they did, Wests missed a big chance to go top last weekend. Hear they were unable to play through the Lower Hutt parked bus. Any reports?

lower hutt were 9 behind the ball in the second half, and the entire game was dominated by the strong wind. 

Jesse edge knocked out in the first half, taken to hospital. Game descended into reckless challenges, with a smattering of yellows, before a red card with around 10-15 mins to go where a lower hutt player appeared to kick Callum McCowat while on the ground, right in front of the benches. A mini set-to resulted.

Lower Hutt probably had the best chance, a longer range shot, and they seem delighted with the point.

Pretty average game of football all round

Stop Outs 3 goals were all nice finishes & overall were good value for the win  - maybe not being able to hear Sambo from the Petone balcony helped them whilst he serves his touchline suspension.