Rugby club ‘heartbroken’ by pitch vandalism

A TRAINING pitch used by more than 200 young rugby players has been wrecked by a “selfish” act of vandalism.

The playing surface used by Ystradgynlais RFC is likely to be out of use for the remainder of the season due to the incident.

Pictures show the field left with giant “doughnut” tyre marks etched into it, an act described as “selfish” by police officers.

The area is used by the club’s mini, junior, youth and senior sides for training, while the juniors also use it to play their weekend games. Luckily, it is separate to the club’s Recreation Ground base.

Ystradgynlais’ youth team had used the field for training at 8pm on Thursday night. A coach then discovered the damage yesterday morning.

A club message says: “Would like to personally thank the car driver who decided that this behaviour is acceptable. What were you thinking?

“Your car will need a nice wash, the CCTV in the area is currently being checked and Dyfed-Powys Police have been informed. This is a training area and playing area for our youngest rugby players.

This will now have to be fixed by volunteers.

“It is absolutely heartbreaking.” It’s understood the club has suffered similar issues due to off-road bikes, but never with a car.

A club spokesman said: “We’ve had off-road bikes on there. It’s got to be a car. That bit of the field is out of action probably for the rest of the season and we’ve got to give extra spare time to repair it.”

Dyfed-Powys Police has appealed for anyone with information to call Ystradgynlais Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111”.