OVINGTON’S two HPH York Vale Cricket League teams have been banned from playing on their Little Knavesmire pitch until at least next month because it is too dangerous.

The league took the drastic step after complaints from opposition teams prompted an inspection of the ground by the league’s interim chairman Shane Hargrave and grounds advisor Kevin Jackson.

Problems arose in mid-May after City of York Council began drainage work there without telling the club and left two large scars on the outfield, making it impossible to play cricket.

Ovington moved off the ground for several weeks while the council repaired the ground and only moved back on June 11 when the second team took on York in a division four fixture.

York were unhappy with the state of the outfield and, the following week, the first-team game against Kelfield drew another complaint from the visitors, whose player and club official Phil Smith described the outfield as “completely dangerous”.

The council has promised to reimburse Ovington for any expense they incur in finding new pitches to complete their fixtures, and told The Press it expected the pitch to be fit for games by the beginning of August.

Regarding the problems, grounds advisor Jackson said: “It was evident that the two main drains which dissect the outfield just off both ends of the square could present a hazard to fielders.

“Although the trenches had been in-filled, levelled and seeded, little germination had occurred due to the lack of moisture. As a groundsman, a member of the Institute of Groundsmen and a pitch advisor to the league, I recommend the outfield at Ovington is not fit for purpose in its present state.”

Hargrave added: “The league has a duty of care to ensure that in staging competitive cricket no player will be put at risk as a result of unsatisfactory and, in this case, dangerous playing conditions due to significant bare earth and scaring of the outfield. There is also an extremely dangerous sunken strip on the edge of the boundary.”

In imposing the ban the league accepted the unfortunate state of affairs was completely outside the control of the club.

Ovington’s first team, who lead division two, hastily switched last Saturday’s home game with Westow to a University of York pitch.

Hargrave told Ovington secretary Alan Fletcher: “Since you will be faced with the daunting task of finding grounds to stage your remaining matches, I will ask John Parker (league secretary) to make sure opponents are aware of your dilemma brought on through no fault of your own and ask the clubs to help out during these unfortunate circumstances.”

Gary Limbert, of the sports and active leisure team at City of York Council, said: “We would like to apologise to Ovington for the problems. We are working closely with the club to minimise any disruption while the work is completed.

“Unfortunately the drainage work that was carried out to improve both the football and cricket pitches has not settled as anticipated. Contractors are already carrying out remedial work and we expect the pitch to be ready to play on again by the beginning of August.

“We have assured the cricket club we will reimburse them for any costs they incur as a result of the temporary move.”

Fletcher told The Press: “We are very disappointed with the council. We feel this project has been football led and we have been sold down the river. I’m pretty certain we will be able to play at the university for the next few weeks but it is pretty expensive – although the council say they will pick up the tab.

“We will have more disruption at the back end of the season when our outfield is drained and I don’t think they understand what a modern cricket ground entails and what it takes for the square to be up to standard.”