Cricket called off as missing teen search continues
THE cricket match a missing teenager was due to play in today has been called off.
Montgomery Cricket Club confirmed they had cancelled the match as the search for 19-year-old James Corfield who had been camping at the Royal Welsh Show entered its fourth day yesterday.
James, a farmer’s son from Montgomeryshire, has been missing since around midnight on Monday in Builth Wells.
His family said they are “desperate” to know where he is and that his disappearance is “totally out of character”.
In a heartbreaking appeal his mother Louise broke down as she described James as a “gifted cricket player”.
On Thursday, she said: “James is due to play cricket on Saturday for his team Montgomery Cricket Club. They need him home for this.”
But hours later the club decided to call off the game so they could concentrate on the search for James.
In a statement they said: “The club are still concerned about the whereabouts of James Corfield. He’s an outstanding cricketer and friend to everyone at the club and we can’t wait to get him back. Our thoughts are with Louise, Brian, Thomas and Emma, all of whom are at the heart of our cricketing family at Lymore.
“We’re very thankful to the large number of players, supporters and friends who are helping to find James and we‘ll be doing all we can until he returns.
“We also appreciate all the support and messages sent by other clubs and individuals. Because of the efforts made by our players and supporters throughout the week, we won’t be putting teams out this Saturday, and thanks are due to Cound and Ludlow Cricket Clubs for their understanding during this period.”
James, a member of the Montgomery Young Farmers’ Club, was last seen at the White Horse Hotel in Builth Wells, Powys, late on Monday night.
Police and specialist teams were continuing their search in Builth on Friday.
James is described as 6ft 2in, of slim build, with short brown hair and he was last seen wearing a blue Abercrombie and Fitch shirt and jeans.
Superintendent Huw Meredith, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “We are still appealing for anyone who might have seen him late on Monday evening or during the early hours of Tuesday morning. Please ring 101 with any information you might have.
“Volunteers are continuing to assist and, while we are grateful for their support, we would like to remind people not to undertake their own searches out of consideration for their own safety.”