Petersfield has rallied in support of the town’s cricket club after their pitch was ruined by unwanted visitors - with fingers being pointed at a travelling community which briefly camped on the heath.

There will be no play soon at the ground as the culprits left deep ruts and circular tyre marks after repeatedly driving around in circles on the pitch late on Wednesday.

The incident – which involved a pair of 4x4 Ford Rangers according to the club’s CCTV footage – is the second of its kind in four months as dough-nutting joyriders rutted the outfield in March.

An online campaign to raise £2,000 to repair the damage has been enthusiastically backed by well-wishers with £2,707 donated at the time of writing.

Petersfield Cricket Club damage PIC2
The incident was the second in four months to take place at the heath pitch as joyriders got onto the pitch in March. (Petersfield Rugby Club)

But it’s still heartbreaking for everyone at the club and its 200 members of all ages, with play unlikely at the pitch for several weeks at the very least.

“The club has invested considerable money and hours in achieving the playing facilities we are proud of and in one night, this has been destroyed,” wrote Katie Hastie.

A group of travellers pitched on the heath on Wednesday evening after reportedly cutting a chain to get vehicular access to the beauty spot.

They were moved on with police help within 24 hours after an eviction notice was served with reports of criminal damage now being investigated.

The incident was discussed at last night’s Petersfield Town Council meeting with town clerk, Neil Hitch, reporting that the culprits will be prosecuted for the criminal damage caused to the pitch.

They also wanted to publicly give credit to the police and Sgt Phil Rees as the incident was “dealt with swiftly”.

Donations can be made through https://shorturl.at/kP6un