Bangor,North Wales - Bangor Cricket Club put £500 reward on the table for info after 'mindless vandalism'

Published date: 07 April 2016 | 

Published by: Mike Williams 
Read more articles by Mike Williams Email reporter

A REWARD of hundreds of pounds is on the table for information after “mindless vandals” wrought havoc on Bangor Cricket Club’s playing surfaces. 

All but two of the club’s pitches at Ty Newydd, Llandygai, were drenched in red diesel last month, killing the grass and preventing any more from growing until the surface is dug up. 

The damage was done just weeks before the start of the cricket season, meaning several of Bangor’s fixtures must be cancelled, matches played away where possible and restrictions placed on midweek games which will affect junior players. 

Now the club has offered £500 to anyone with information relating to the incident if it results in a successful prosecution. 

Writing in the appeal, Bangor Cricket Club said: “The Square at Bangor Cricket Club has been seriously damaged. 

“Youth cricket will be affected as there will be restrictions to mid week games to allow recovery time to the square. 

“Preparations are in hand to provide a temporary wicket to ensure as little disruption as possible. 

“The club has been overwehelmed at the response of the community, not only in Bangor but the whole of the North Wales coast. 

“As a result, a reward of £500 has been raised for any information that results in a successful prosecution outcome.” 

The club invited a pitch inspector from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) who condemened all but three pitches, making them officially unusable. 

Chris Wood, a pitches consultant with the ECB, called the culprits “mindless and idiotic vandals with nothing better to do than think it is amusing to cause stress and damage. 

“It never ceases to enrage me.” 

The whole square will have to be dug up at the end of the season to remove any trace of the diesel. 

Groundsman Jamie Davies said: “Whoever has done this knows what they were doing. 

“It’s not mindless, like smashing a window - someone has walked across the pitch with a jerry can doing this.” 

Any information should be addressed to the Secretary, Bangor Cricket Club, Ty Newydd, Llandygai, Bangor, LL57 4HR. 

see-http://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/160653/bangor-cricket-club-put-500-reward-on-the-table-for-info-after-mindless-vandalism-.aspx