VANDALISM of the cricket pitch at Alton’s Jubilee Playing Fields failed to stop play last weekend.

Deep ruts were gouged into the wet turf by a driver intent on causing damage according to Alton Cricket Club.

The damage affected only the outfield. The culprits also drove over the square but, hardened through constant rolling, it proved more resilient and emerged relatively unscathed.

It is thought that the damage was caused overnight on Tuesday (8). It was discovered the following morning, since when club members and Alton Town Council (ATC) groundsmen have worked tirelessly to make the surface fit for play.

Club captain Richard Myers is convinced that it was “not kids”, but adults who drove over the pitch. He said the ruts could be responsible for causing injuries because, “when you’re fielding, you wouldn’t want a cricket ball hitting them at 80mph”.

The club as has suffered a series of incidents over the last eight to 10 weeks, including a broken window, the theft of furniture and the kicking of a football on to the pavilion roof, causing a leak, but this was the worst of them.

The club issued a statement expressing its “deep disappointment” that someone had vandalised the Chawton Park Road facility and added: “Alton Cricket Club has worked very closely with the town council over the past four to five years to improve the facility for all who use it, not just the cricket club.

“The work undertaken led to the club winning the most improved ground in the county award in 2016, and we have received many commendations from visiting clubs in the last year.”

Hampshire Constabulary, who is investigating the crimimal damage cause and the club hopes that police will keep and eye the ground in the evenings, when it is believed the incidents of vandalism and theft occurred.

Club secretary Graham Hughes said the club is also working closely with the town council to find ways of protecting the club’s facilities.

Members would like barriers to be installed to block access to the car park when the ground is not in use, leaving dog walkers and others to use the entrance at the opposite end of the ground which is overlooked by ATC-owned residential properties.

Alton mayor Dean Phillips said: “It is so disappointing that the mindless act of a few should detract from all of the hard work that goes into providing and maintaining high-quality sports facilities in the town.

“It is equally frustrating for Alton Cricket Club’s players and officials who dedicate a lot of time to assisting the club’s grounds team to prepare the Jubilee cricket wickets to such a high standard that last season they were rewarded with a Most Improved Ground award from the Southern Premier League.”