New board scores top marks for Jabba
by Alan Rowley, 14th January 2006

Local company Jabba Design are marketing a brand new portable cricket scoreboard. The board solves all the problems experienced with most existing portable models, like blowing over, easily damaged numbers and too small to see from all parts of the ground. Made of weatherproof products, the scoreboard packs away into a long box which also has storage space for the stumps and boundary flags as well.

Jabba's Darren Shaw, who plays for Stanton and Awsworth Elks, told 'the follow on': "Knowing how clubs struggle for funds each year, we have priced the scoreboard way below anything of a similar size. In fact, a similar size display would cost some £200 more, without a stand."

Packed away, the scoreboard measures up at a respectable 1455 mm wide, 300 mm deep and 300 mm high. Unfolded, the board opens to 1160 mm by 1350 mm, with a display size of 1160 mm by 1120 mm. The numbers measure 239 mm by 179 mm and the entire kit weighs just 31.5 kgs for the standard cricket version.

If anyone would like to look at the scoreboard before purchasing, the prototype is on display at John Birch Indoor Sports Centre at Bar Lane, Nottingham. The scoreboard is already attracting considerable interest, which is hardly surprising when you consider that this is the only scoreboard your club will ever need. If it becomes damaged, single items are replaceable, keeping repair costs to a minimum..

What do you get in the scoreboard kit?

• Two 'A' frames (pictured above) constructed from anodised aluminium, joined by a heavy duty, cast stainless steel hinge. The frames are locked open by a chrome brass cabin hook, making for a strong frame that also looks good.
• Four panels for 'runs', 'wickets', 'overs' and 'first innings'.
• 68 numbers and 6 blanks, enough to score, for example 554 for 5 from 54 overs, chasing 555. Other scoreboard's in this price range do not have enough numbers for this total. Cut from plastic, the numbers will last many years. They let the background show through, rather than being printed, which means the number itself won't scratch or scuff. The number is held in position by a simple locking device. You simply lift the lock, slide the number into the recess, which has a locking strip at the bottom, and lock it.
• A numbers holder which has holes in the rear to allow water to escape. The holder is fastened with two large, head dowel bolts. These fasten into a 75 mm long nut strip that can be tightened in windy conditions to aid stability.
• Two tent pegs
• Guy rope
• Rubber mallet
• Two bowlers marks
• 25 190 mm inner fielders circles.

What will I have to pay?

The total cost for all of the above is an incredible £395. You can purchase additional 'home' and 'away' panels for £45 each. These are ideal if you share your facilities with other sports, such as football, rugby and hockey. A smaller version with just 'home' and 'away' panels is also available for other sports.

If you have an old scoreboard, panels can be purchased seperately to refurbish your old board. Panels can be drilled and either bolted, screwed or glued to your old board, or your pavilion wall. The price for four panels is £140, with a £10 discount if purchased with a set of numbers, which are priced at £55. Panels and numbers can be made to your club's specification, just ask Jabba for a quote.

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To order a scoreboard, contact Darren Shaw at Jabba Designs on 0115 9537645. You can contact Darren by email at jabba-design@ntlworld.com. Please quote reference TFO1, or mention 'the follow on' when ordering, and Jabba will make a donation to the site running costs on every board sold via this site. As a special offer, Jabba are offering a unique free club name plaque with the first 15 orders (usual price £30), so get your orders in quickly to take advantage of this offer.