A cricket club in the Swansea Valley is counting the cost of yet more vandalism after scissors were used to cut covers laid over the square.
A hole was also dug in the wicket at the Recreation Ground - home of Pontardawe Cricket Club. In recent weeks a pavilion skylight has been broken, and holes have been burned through the club's new mobile net. Police have been notified.
Last year a new cricket score box had to be built after being targeted by vandals three times - the third time beyond repair. Club chairman Rob Pick said CCTV was now being considered by the volunteer sports association which runs the Recreation Ground on behalf on two cricket clubs, a rugby club and football club. The vandals were destroying facilities which were for everyone in the town, he added.
"It's all volunteers from the community who run the ground and raise the money to make it better. It's more than disappointing," he said.
The covers had previously been burned with cigarettes and also torn, he said.
The club is setting up a third team this season because of a surge in demand. Llandarcy Cricket Club also play matches there.
A spokesman for South Wales Police said it was investigating a number of reports of damage at the Recreation Ground, and confirmed it had been notified of the damage to the cricket covers and skylight.
Pontardawe councillor Linet Purcell and her ward colleague, Cllr Anthony Richards, said they were very frustrated and disappointed with the actions of a small minority. They said it was important that members of the public got in touch with police straight away if they witnessed incidents.
"There is an absolute onus on people who witness something to report it. If you can't get through on 101, you can report it to police online," they said.
If you can help with cricket covers and skylight incidents, phone 101 and quote reference 2100168462.
