IT was anything but cricket when thieves targeted members of the South Woodford Cricket Club as they practised in a field.

Mobile phones, cash and credit cards were stolen during the morning session of the club's away game against Romford and Gidea Park Cricket Club in the

Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League.

The theft was discovered and police were called when the players came in for lunch.

Fired up by their misfortune the team, which is based at Highfield Road, South Woodford, proceeded to bowl their opponents out for 195.

Team Captain, Jawad Sayeed, refused to allow the police to interrupt the game, and the team reached 158 for seven before bad light stopped play.

Mr Sayeed said: "One man had some money stolen and it might have affected his performance, but it was something that you just had to put behind you.

"This was a match we would have won if the weather hadn't stopped us."

Police are currently investigating the incident.

May 31, 2003 07:30