THIEVES caused thousands of pounds damage, after breaking into a Blaina sports club and stealing a copper boiler and pipework.

Water from the attic gushed through the ceiling of Blaina Cricket Club’s pavilion and ruined a newly fitted carpet when thieves broke in sometime overnight last Sunday.

Showerheads were ripped off and pipework stripped from the nearby grandstand.

The junior team’s new kit and 40 cans of lager from the bar area at Central Park, Cwmcelyn, were also taken.

Now club secretary Alun Lewis is appealing for help recovering the kit, which cost several hundred pounds, while Blaenau Gwent Council said the total cost of repairs could be around £15,000.

Mr Lewis, 60, said: “We are hoping we might be able to recover some of the kit really. As a small cricket club we could well afford to be without the cost.”

Cricket bats, pads and clothing bought for players aged nine to 14 ahead of next season were taken, and around 20 cricket balls – the club’s entire stock – were also ruined.

“They have had a good old time altogether, smashing the place up,” Mr Lewis said.

“It’s just the thought of someone going in there and smashing it about I can’t understand.”

An unsuccessful attempt to steal a grass roller from a container nearby was also made last week, he said, but hopes the clubhouse can be restored before the newseason remain high.

A council spokesperson urged anyone with information to contact police, and said: “This break-in has been extremely damaging to both the council and local sports clubs, who work together to provide leisure facilities and opportunities for people in the area and visiting teams and supporters.

“Unfortunately, it appears there are a few who want to ruin this for everyone else.”

Anyone with information, or who is offered similar kit for sale, should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.