CRICKETERS at Thursley have resolved to play on in the coming season, despite the devastating news that their pavilion has been destroyed in an arson attack - the second in two days. The blaze broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning and the alarm was raised by a passer-by at 3 am. The fire brigade attended, but the timber building in Dye House Road was burned almost to the ground, along with the score box, two sheds and all the equipment within them. Around £40,000 worth of damage was caused and the cricket club was this week anxiously awaiting the response from insurers before starting to plan for the future. Club president Barry Rapley, who was called out to survey the damage on Sunday morning, said he was little prepared for the scale of the destruction. "When I came round the corner, my heart broke," he said. Police, who are appealing for information about the blaze, revealed that they are also dealing with an earlier incident at the same location the previous night. Intruders went to a shed at the side of the pavilion last Friday night and set fire to a cloth, which was then placed in the tank of a lawnmower, causing £150 worth of damage. A window to the pavilion was smashed but entry was not gained on that occasion. Police are appealing for anyone with information about either incident to contact Dc Lee Hazell on 0845 125 2222, or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The cricket club was looking forward to playing in Division One of the I'Anson competition, after gaining promotion last year. "We are devastated, but we will be playing this year. There's no question, we're going to move on," said Barry Rapley. "We are one of the oldest cricket clubs in the country. There are people who have been involved with the club for 50 years and I am sure we will get over this." But the club has lost a certain amount of its history, through the photographs and other memorabilia that were destroyed along with equipment including mowers and a tractor. "We have not got a cup, a saucer or a kettle left," said Mr Rapley. And even more galling was the fact that the club spent £10,000 only last year on a new roof and complete revamp of the building. "How we could do with that £10,000 now," said the president.
