An act of theft deprived St.David's Islanders the opportunity to see their team kick off the 2009 season against PHC at Lords yesterday, writes Colin Thompson.

Cricket remains off limits at the East End ground after it was discovered a water pump used to irrigate the batting square had been stolen.

"The game was postponed because the ground isn't ready.

"Somebody stole the water pump and so the ground staff could not get any water to the wicket," one club source said.

"Apparently someone stole the pump from the tank and no-one was aware it had gone missing until the ground staff tried to water the pitch. Only then did they realise the pump was missing and unfortunately it has taken quite some time replacing it."

Only recently the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) warned that clubs whose venues were not ready for the start of the new season could forfeit precious points unless they had a valid excuse for not being ready in time.

It is understood St.David's officials had in fact informed the BCB prior to the start of the revised Open Cricket League that their venue would not be available to host domestic cricket prior to –May 10.

"The president (Aaron Lugo) informed the Board the pitch wouldn't be ready before May 10," the St.David's source said.

Elsewhere, yesterday the matches involving Western Stars and Police at St.John's Field, and the game between Bailey's Bay and Flatts at Sea Breeze Oval also failed to get under way due to unprepared pitches.