Double break-in horror shocks Talywain

A SOUTH-EAST Wales rugby club has been left devastated after being broken into twice within five days last month with more than £10,000 worth of damage.

The thieves not only caused damage to Talywain RFC’s pitch and clubhouse but also stole more than £2,000 from funds donated for explayer Scott Beasant’s family as the former cross-code player fights for his life in hospital.

Father-of-two Beasant, 36, who played professionally for Rugby League side, the Wales Dragonhearts, has been in a coma since being discovered with “horrific” injuries near a bridge just north of Pontypool by a man on his way to work at 5.15am on Sunday, August 13.

Chairman of the Welsh Division 2 East side Jeff Clutterbuck said: “Scott’s in a bad way, we’re in constant contact with his family and being supportive but no one yet knows what happened as it’s still being investigated. To rob the club is one thing but to rob from a charity box is just appalling.

“Its devastating really, we’re not just a club but a small business and there is the business side of running a club. We rely on people volunteering and taking their time out for the club.”

The clubhouse was first broken into on the night of Friday, January 5 and again on the night of Wednesday, January 10. Not only was there damage to the clubhouse and the electrics, but to open the safe the thieves drove a 4x4 across the pitch. Players had to take a day-off work to help repair the turf the day before their home fixture against Ynysddu RFC two weeks ago.

Mr Clutterbuck added: “They smashed through the doors, smashed the bar and the safe and cut the electricity wires for the alarms and the lights. All that costs a lot of money to put right.

“It’s not cheap but we’re fighting on, raising the money and Pontypool RFC have also been fantastic donating their ticket sales.”