Cricket pitches attacked

Police in the North West say there is no evidence that attacks on two cricket club pitches are linked.

Members of Brigade Cricket Club in Londonderry arrived at their Beechgrove grounds on Friday to find three wickets destroyed, including an artificial surface.
It is estimated that the damage will cost the club around £7,000. The attack followed the destruction of Limavady Cricket Club's pitch on the previous weekend, which will cost the Roe Valley club an estimated £30,000.

Jim Wallace, Brigade President, said: "There are a few wickets which have been vandalised and the all weather wicket has been ripped up at both ends and some paint thrown about, but I think that can be wiped off. Our Thirds match has been postponed on Saturday, but cricket will be played again at Brigade. I spoke to our chairman and we are very disappointed that this has happened. Limavady also had their wicket damaged this week. The North West (Cricket Union) have enough of their own problems and hopefully this isn't another one.

"Thankfully we don't have many other matches apart from games involving ourselves that have to be played on the wicket, but the two cup finals we do have means that will put pressure on us to get them ready."

See the rest of the article on the following link:-Londonderry Sentinel