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Tuesday, 26 June 2007, 08:25 GMT 09:25 UK

Thieves & vandals tarnish match

"The windows of the bus have been smashed and the Middlesex guys have had all their valuables stolen"
Nic Pothas

Nic Pothas Middlesex's Twenty20 match against Hampshire was marred when stones were thrown at the away coach and valuables stolen from the home dressing-room.

The match at Southgate, which was reduced to 12 overs per side following heavy rain, was won by Middlesex.

Hampshire wicket-keeper Nic Pothas told BBC Radio Solent: "We make the effort to play in dangerous conditions and that's the thanks you get.

"We took a stand - we refused to sign autographs after the game."

He added: "It's very unfortunate. The windows of the bus have been smashed and the Middlesex guys have had all their valuables stolen.

"Last year we had an unsavoury incident when Dom Thornely got spat at Sussex.

"The Middlesex lads admit it was stupid of them to leave their valuables in there and not lock the door"
Vinny Codrington

"We are big boys. If people take the mickey out of you or comment about the way you look that's happy days.

"But if people talk about what they want to do to your mother and it starts going to a more personal level then we have to take a stand.

"If you do that to us, then we won't sign autographs for your kids."

In a separate incident, vandals climbed over perimeter fences in the early hours of Tuesday morning and trashed hospitality marquees and pushed toilets over.

606: DEBATE

Middlesex play most of their home games at Lord's, but have started to play more regularly at the Walker Ground in Southgate.

It is a picturesque venue in north London, with a church at one end of the ground.

Middlesex chief executive Vinny Codrington admitted that security at the ground would have to be reviewed.

"The most important thing at the moment is to review security at the ground and perhaps have 24-hour security," he told BBC Sport.

"But we also have to remember that this is a club ground, not a stadium, and these things will happen from time to time."

Codrington said the three incidents were not related and that it was important not to sensationalise them.

The Walker Ground in Southgate

"Firstly a kid threw stones at the Hampshire bus from outside the ground, from a cemetery.

"The windows were double glazed and he broke an outer window. The players weren't on the bus. Only the driver was, and he wasn't overly concerned.

"Then one or maybe two kids also got into the Middlesex dressing room. The lads admit it was stupid of them to leave their valuables in there and not lock the door.

"The Hampshire players put their valuables in a safe place and locked their dressing room door.

"The disappointing thing is that the stewards on the back door of the pavilion did not do their jobs.

"I don't know how the kids managed to get out without being stopped, because they would have had a couple of bats, a couple of wallets and some other kit. They should have been pretty conspicuous."

Police are currently looking into the three incidents.

Southgate is due to host a four-day Championship match against Derbyshire from 8 July, and has five further days of Middlesex cricket in September.



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Related to this story:

Keegan and Kartik deny Hampshire (25 Jun 07 |  Counties )

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