A MID Wales cricket club is appealing for donations to help fund repairs to their pitch.

The club, which competes in the West Wales Cricket Conference, had been looking forward to a return to action after last season was scrapped due to the public health crisis.

However officials were left stunned to discover their Cae Rhianfa pitch has since been vandalised – leaving the club with a bill expected to exceed £5,640.

Secretary Simon Jenkins said: "We were looking forward to our first home game in two years on Sunday - we play on Cae Rhianfa in Tywyn which is owned by Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn and were asked not to play last year due to COVID restrictions.

"We had been down preparing the ground for Sunday ready for our game against Aberystwyth and had just arrived home to receive a call saying there was a fire down near out pitch.

"It turned out that some local children had decided to burn one of their friend's homework on the pitch to prevent them handing it in."

The damage has left the club facing a four figure bill for repairs.

Mr Jenkins added: "I have received quotes of £5,640 to replace to top surface and this could go up if the base layer is damaged but the photos seem to suggest not thankfully and the lead time is about four weeks so the sooner we can raise the funds the more chance of playing this year.

"We would be very grateful for any donations you could spare towards repair of this pitch which hopefully will allow us to get some cricket played at home this season."

The appeal has so far raised £4,465 and the club has asked for any further donations to be made at https://uk.gf.me/v/c/slcm/please-help-replaced-our-damaged-pitch.