Tom Hudson of TH Sports Turf Solutions Ltd Delivers High Standards at Teddington Cricket Club, London

At Teddington Cricket Club, maintaining top-quality playing surfaces is essential. As a busy multisport venue supporting cricket, rugby and school sport, the demands on the grounds team are constant - particularly during the cricket season.

Leading the operation is Tom Hudson, Head Groundsman at Teddington Cricket Club and owner of TH Sports Turf Solutions Ltd, a specialist contractor providing end-of-season renovations, aeration, seeding and ongoing turf maintenance across multiple sites.

Tom Hudson began his career learning his trade at The Oval, one of the country’s most prestigious cricket venues and home to top-level domestic and international matches. Working in such a high-performance environment gave him invaluable hands-on experience in preparing elite-standard pitches under pressure, where attention to detail and consistency are critical. That early exposure to professional turf management at the highest level has played a key role in shaping his approach today, bringing the same standards and discipline to his work at Teddington Cricket Club and through TH Sports Turf Solutions Ltd.

Teddington CC competes in the Middlesex Premier League, where matches regularly feature county-level players. With two cricket squares and two outfields to maintain—alongside additional contracted sites- Tom’s role requires precision, consistency and efficiency.

“Appearance and pitch preparation here are hugely important,” says Tom. “We’re producing surfaces for a very high standard of cricket, so everything has to be right.”

A key part of Tom’s setup is the long-serving Dennis G860 cylinder mower that continues to prove its value after 25 years of use.

“That machine really speaks for itself in terms of build quality,” he explains. “The interchangeable cassette system is a massive advantage. We actually went five weeks without another mower and still prepared two cricket pitches from start to finish using it.”

With a range of cassettes—including verticutting and fine cutting units - the machine supports both square and outfield work.

“The verticutting cassette is particularly useful. It removes lateral growth, thins the plant out and encourages fresh growth- especially during the summer months.”

Despite its age, the machine remains a dependable part of the operation.

“It’s well balanced, easy to use and incredibly durable. It’s the sort of investment that pays off over the long term.”

Tom also relies on a high-performance rotary mower for maintaining presentation and clearing debris after matches across cricket and football.

“I chose it because it’s one of the best-built rotaries on the market. It’s reliable, leaves a great finish and is ideal for clearing up after games.”
The mower’s performance stands out in challenging conditions as well.
“It handles wet grass reasonably well, although we always aim to cut in dry conditions where possible. The brush lifts debris effectively and the suction is strong, so everything gets collected properly.”

Ease of use plays a big role in day-to-day operations. “It’s got five forward gears and reverse, which is useful depending on the pace you want-we usually work at a brisk walking speed. Height adjustment is straightforward too, just a simple lever system.”

The machine also enhances the visual quality of the surface. “With the brush and roller, it produces really strong striping-something you expect from quality equipment.”

Through TH Sports Turf Solutions Ltd, Tom extends his expertise beyond Teddington, working with other cricket clubs and providing services such as renovations and spraying when needed. “It’s about delivering consistent, high-quality surfaces wherever we work.”

For clubs managing heavy usage and regular matchday debris, Tom is clear on the benefits. “I’d definitely recommend this type of equipment to cricket and football clubs. It’s a reliable, versatile solution that makes a real difference.”