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Counties - Media Guide to the Grounds

Hampshire (Rose Bowl, Southampton) by Simon Walter

Email: simon.walter@soton-echo.co.uk

Southampton (Rose Bowl)

Directions

By car: After leaving the M27 at Junction 7, the route to the Rose Bowl is now clearly signposted. By bus: First Bus run a service from Southampton city centre to the Rose Bowl, number 8A Mon-Sat, 4E Sunday). The buses run every 20 mins (Mon-Fri), half-hourly (Sat) and hourly (Sun). Journey time 30 mins. Solent Blue Line Service (numbers 29/29A) operate a service from Southampton Airport/Parkway station. Journey time 12 mins. Runs every 30 mins (Mon-Sat) and hourly on Sundays. By train: The nearest train station is Hedge End (Eastleigh/Portsmouth line via Fareham), a two- mile walk from the Rose Bowl. Turn right into Maunsell Way, left onto Tollbar Way (B3342) and, at the second roundabout take a right onto Botley Rd (signpotsed West End) before taking a left at the traffic lights.

Ground Facilities

Car parking: If there is space, stewards will direct you into the car park on the left as you arrive at the Rose Bowl on Marshall Drive. Otherwise there is usually ample space on the fields opposite. The Press Box: from June 13th 2005 the press has moved to behind the bowler's arm at the Rose Bowl's Northern End from its old position next to the pavilion. Telecom/power arrangements - There were three telephone lines and an ISDN line in the pre-June 13th PB. The phone lines belong to News International, the Southern Daily Echo and the other is a general line. There are at least 30 phone lines and more ISDN lines in the new press box to cater for international matches.

Contacts

Press Association contact: Pat Symes (023 92820311).

Local paper contacts: Simon Walter (Southern Daily Echo, 07901688436) Neil Allen (Portsmouth News,
07899958864). PR contact: Jason Hill: (023 8047 5602; 07920 452513). The scorers' portakabin is in the south west corner of the Rose Bowl and is no longer inhabited by Vic Isaacs, who has moved to Ramsbottom, nr Manchester, after 31 years with Hampshire. Vic signed off at the end of last season (see page 649 of this year's Wisden) and was replaced by the agreeable Tony Weld, a retired newsagent who was Hampshire's second XI scorer from 1982.

Refreshments

Tea and coffee - available on request at the Atrium bar behind the pavilion, where food is also available at a price. Nearest supermarkets - Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, cashpoints and a petrol station are all situated off Junction 7, a two-minute drive from the Rose Bowl. West End Brewery, High St, West End. The nearest pub to the Rose Bowl won Real Pubs' '2003 Pub of the Year'. The Barleycorn, Lower Northam Rd, Hedge End. The Fountain Inn, St Johns Rd, Hedge End. Restaurants: West End Tandoori, 52a High St (023 80477415). Berni Classics, 3 Charles Watts Way, Hedge End (01489 789666). Fast food joints: Burger King, Tollbar Way, Hedge End, McDonalds, Tollbar Way, Hedge End.

Accommodation

Express by Holiday Inn (02380606060) is situated at the Rose Bowl's entrance. Rooms cost £59 (Friday-Sunday) and £65 (Monday-Thursday) although be aware that when England stage matches at the venue or the T20 Finals day is played at the venue Holiday Inn tend to charge a much higher rack rate so try and book early if you intend staying there for a big match. Botleigh Grange Hotel & Conference Centre (01489 787700) Single: £110 (including breakfast) Double: £135 (including breakfast). Botley Park Hotel Golf & Country Club, Winchester Road (01489 780888). Situated in 176 acres of exclusive parkland. Boasts a modern leisure club with swimming pool, spa bath, steam room, sauna and tennis courts. All 100 bedrooms have private bathrooms with shower and bath and satellite television. From £103 Marriott Meon Valley, Sandy Lane (01329 833455). A 4-star resort located in 225 acres of countryside. It offers a championship golf course, a 9-hole course and full leisure facilities, including an indoor pool, cardiovascular suite and a gym. From £113-168. Primrose Cottage, West End (023 80466348). £30-45. Twin Oaks Guest House, 43 Upper Northam Rd, Hedge End (01489 690054). £35. Strawberry Cottage, Shamblehurst Manor, Old Shamblehurst Lane, Hedge End (01489 795289). Family run bed & breakfast situated in the garden of a Grade II listed Tudor manor house. £28 - £35. Mariners House, 24 Nelsons Gardens, Hedge End (01489 796467). £27-35.

Leisure

Itchen Valley Country Park, Allington Lane, West End . 440 acres of woodland and meadows open from 8.30am - 9.30pm (BST). The Hamble Valley (www.hamblevalley.com) Includes The Hamble River
('The Heart of British Yachting'), and the Royal Victoria Country Park, which is a six mile drive from the Rose Bowl. County Golf Club (023 80471111). Nine-hole course next to the Nursery Ground at the Rose Bowl. Hedge End Golf Centre, Upper Northam Rd (01489 773890). 50-bay driving range. The Odeon, Leisure World, West Quay Rd, Southampton (023 80222111). The Mayflower Theatre, Commercial Road, Southampton.

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