Vandals Ruin Matson Rugby Pitches by Driving Vehicle Across Them

Matson Rugby Football Club in Gloucester has been dealt a severe blow after vandals drove a vehicle across one of its rugby pitches, leaving deep tyre marks that have rendered the grass unusable. The damage was discovered on February 23 by a dog-walker who captured video footage of the extensive damage across one of the club’s three pitches.

While the exact timing of the incident remains uncertain, club members believe the vehicle caused the destruction on Sunday evening. Unfortunately, the recent heavy rains have saturated the ground, complicating repair efforts. As a result, upcoming fixtures, including a mini section game scheduled for March 1, are at risk of cancellation.

Lee Bayliss, chairman of Matson RFC, expressed his frustration: “This is a massive setback. The damage is extensive and has happened more than once now. Because the ground is so wet, it’s impossible to bring in equipment like tractor-trailers to apply fresh topsoil without causing further harm.”

The club regularly uses all three pitches for teams ranging from under-6s to under-14s, which means many games could be affected. Bayliss added, “Thankfully, no one was on the pitch when this happened. With over 100 kids training here regularly and frequent dog walkers, the situation could have been worse.”

Matson RFC is currently appealing to local residents for any CCTV or doorbell footage that may help identify the culprit(s). Residents with relevant footage are asked to email [email protected]. The club is also planning to discuss with the council the possibility of installing fencing to prevent future incidents, though funding is a concern.

Local residents have voiced their anger online, calling the act “absolutely disgusting” and “totally thoughtless.” One resident wrote, “By doing this, you’ve deprived our junior players of their games. Idiots.” Another expressed sympathy for the affected youngsters and hope that the vandals are found.