An already delayed cricket season could get off to a bumpy start this weekend with one pitch definitely unprepared for any sort of activity and several other clubs working feverishly to get their grounds ready in time.

Such is the concern at White Hill Field that Somerset Bridge Recreation Club president Bray Saltus intends to seek the assistance of Sports Minister Randy Horton in the hope that he can help the club regain the use of a roller that they have operated to prepare their facility in past years.

A busy opening weekend to the season features a full slate of matches in the Premier and First Division on Saturday and Sunday . . . but it remains to be seen just how many games will go ahead.

A spokesman for Bermuda Cricket Board said they remained optimistic that the bulk of the matches would be played, but admitted they were aware that White Hill would not be ready and that one or two other clubs were "hopeful at best" to meet the deadline.

On Saturday, the two newly-promoted Premier Division clubs, PHC and Willow Cuts, are scheduled to play at White Hill while on Sunday, Somerset Bridge and Social Club were to have met in a First Division match.

Saltus was clearly frustrated at being unable to get the use of the same Government roller that they have borrowed on a regular basis in past years, claiming that "repeated attempts" to secure it during recent months have proven unsuccessful.

"I have called Public Works time and time again. In fact, I have called so often that the individual I have contacted has got fed up with my calls," he said.

"As far as I am concerned I can do no more other than to take the matter to somebody higher like the Sports Minister because we definitely need a roller to get the wicket ready. And I intend to do just that. We have somebody working on the wicket now, but a roller is a must in order for us to play cricket.

"Without a roller it will not be ready for this weekend. Hopefully, with a positive response from the Minister, we can get the ball rolling so that we can have the pitch ready for the second weekend of the season."

White Hill is not the only ground having serious roller problems with Bailey's Bay in a similar position. The Sea Breeze Oval pitch also has had the use of a roller from Government in recent years, and the sudden unavailability of the machine has caused problems.

Such was their concern last week that president Gary Caisey sought help from neighbours St. George's Cricket Club who have assisted by sending theirs to Bay since there will not be any cricket played at Wellington Oval until the end of June.

"We have the use of a roller from St. George's and we are hoping that our pitch will be ready for Saturday. To be honest we have had a few problems with the roller, but we seem to be getting over that now and as long as it doesn't break down again we should be up and running for matches on Saturday and Sunday," said Caisey.

There had also been rumours that St. John's Field would not be ready because of various work taking place inside and outside of the facility, but club president Calvin Blankendal assured that the field would be prepared.

"Our ground will be ready for this weekend, we don't have any problems," he said.

The Board have already been informed that other well-used fields like Somerset CC, Southampton Rangers, Lord's in St. David's, Devonshire Rec. and Police field would all be available for the season-openers.

The Board were due to have an executive meeting yesterday evening to discuss various matters regarding the start of the season and the availability of fields was likely to be on the agenda.