ATTEMPTS to relaunch one of the country’s oldest cricket clubs have been hit for six by wild boar, despite the erection of pig-proof fencing costing £15,000.

Sabotage is suspected at Yorkley Star Cricket Club, as six boar were able to wander onto the pitch through an open gate, and ropes marking out the wicket were pulled up.

The invaders struck overnight and dug up a large portion of the Cut and Fry Green ground by the pavilion.

It is the latest setback for the 135-year-old Forest club – three years ago, boar destroyed the pitch in the night, and the team was relegated after being unable to fulfil its fixtures.

The pitch was relaid, but boar again churned it up before the 2015 season, with club officials admitting defeat and the team withdrawing from the league.

But Yorkley were looking to bounce back this year after being awarded £12,000 from Tesco Bags of Help to help fund boar-proof fences.

That was until shocked club members discovered the latest damage last Wednesday morning, March 8.

Club trustee Alec Kear, 82, said: “How much more can we take? When I saw the damage, the bottom dropped out of my stomach.

“Someone either accidentally or intentionally left one of the gates open.

“We’re almost certain it’s the latter, as the posts and rope newly erected to mark the wicket for this season had been pulled up and thrown on the ground.

“After all the work and fundraising over the last two years, it’s such a massive setback.”

The club has been trying to recruit players for the upcoming season, and plans to play Sunday friendlies, while a ladies team is also being considered.

“We’ve been up to the club trying to repair the damage to the ground and this shouldn’t stop us relaunching, but the fear is, when will this happen again?” added Mr Kear.

“We’ve told the police, as we’ve had other instances of vandalism on the ground, such as a tree being chopped down.”

His wife Averil added: “We’ve had to put a chain round the main gates now, which is such a shame as it’s one of the best places for recreation and walking the dog, but we’ve no alternative.”

When the ground was dug up by boar in 2015, Mr Kear said: “The ground is like a war-zone. It’s unbelievable.

“Nothing has stopped play for this club before. We were going all the way through the war, but we just can’t cope with this.”