CRICKETERS believe that vandals who wrecked a village club have left clues to their identity – their school homework.
Yobs smashed a 5ft hole in the wall of the pavilion at Ingatestone Cricket Club's Fairfield ground using blocks of wood.
However, club officials found what appears to be geography homework and plans for a field trip to Wales amid the wreckage at the ground, off Stock Lane.
The papers, discovered on Wednesday, featured information about a forthcoming trip plus questions such as "How does adding salt to icy roads help?" and "What is Halite? Name the chemical found in Halite."
One piece of paper even features a handwritten note.
The discovery has led Matt Taylor, the cricket club captain, to suspect that a secondary school student was behind the attack which caused around £200 of damage.
He said: "Whoever did this could have gone all the way through into the pavilion – there was just plaster board left – but they didn't bother, which makes me think it was just mindless vandalism."
He also claimed: "The stupid thing is that it appears whoever did this left some homework behind."
The incident, which took place between 11am and 5pm, cast a shadow over the club's first game of the season, a home defeat to South Weald on Saturday.
The attack sparked a flurry of support on Twitter, including one contribution from Ed Mayne, who tweeted: "@IngatestoneCC really hope justice is gained and restoration can happen, you've a great ground, @_CricketFamily sticking together."
Another tweet from Brian Rayner read: "@Langwith_CC @IngatestoneCC @GwersylltCC @GlenrothesCC @_CricketFamily stay strong and don't let them beat you! Your friends @ElvedenCC"
The cricket club has suffered from sporadic attacks of vandalism – last August graffiti was scrawled on the newly-decorated pavilion.
Essex Police is investigating the latest damage.
A police spokesman said: "Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an act of vandalism at Ingatestone Cricket Club.
"Criminal damage to several panels was caused during May 1, causing £200 worth of criminal damage.
"Anyone with information should contact Brentwood police station on 101."
