Auckland Cricket Club have trophies stolen and pitch torn up by bikers

It has been a devastating two weeks for an Auckland cricket club who had their trophies stolen and then their cricket ground torn apart by bikers, rendering it unusable for the rest of the season.

Andy Napier, club manager for the Counties Manukau Cricket Association, said the halls at the Mountfort Park club in Manurewa were broken into over the Christmas/New Year holidays.

Fourteen trophies were stolen – some dating from before World War II.

In addition to the trophies, the copper pipes were ripped out and a hot water tank was taken away.

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Then, on Friday and Saturday, motorcyclists drove through the cricket ground, leaving skid marks and torn turf.

“It’s been destroyed a number of times and now we have to look to move further,” Napier said.

“We’ve had instances where runners cross games themselves.”

Napier was “quite discouraged” and frustrated that club members would not be able to play at the wicket this season.

On Saturday, two players were going between cricket matches and were racially assaulted by motorcyclists, he said.

“It’s incredibly frustrating because we also want to provide cricket experiences for children in the community.”

So much time and effort has been invested in the field by the gardeners, Napier said.

“It’s a kick in the teeth.”

Now the cricket club are considering a move for the rest of the season which would be difficult.

“Where we would move is further south and you would lose that urban mix that we really want to engage with the community.”

Napier wondered if providing motorcyclists with a safe place to enjoy the ride would encourage them to wander off course.

Police have been contacted for comment.