Rogue cricket balls are causing a headache for residents… and for the sportsmen who are hitting them.

Minster Cricket Club has launched a bid for funding to pay for new netting to protect neighbouring homes.

Over the last few years, the committee has had to fork out hundreds of pounds to pay for new tiles, smashed windows and dented cars that have all been damaged by balls flying over the fencing.

Although there has not ever been an injury, there have been some near misses. And plants and flowers in gardens are also getting squashed.

It has not all had to be paid in one go, but the odd £40 here and there adds up and the club estimates it has spent around £2,500 on repairs over the past five years.

The club, which is based off Chequers Road, Minster, has been running for more than 80 years, but chairman Mark Tucker says that now the standard is better than ever, flying cricket balls are becoming a problem for residents in nearby Echo Walk and Boundary Close.

The club only used to have one team playing on a Saturday but now there are several. And with one of them recently promoted and a membership of more than 350, the club has decided to take action.

A few seasons back new netting was installed at a cost of £5,500, but it blew down in strong winds. A few years before that the same thing happened.

So now they club is looking to raise £25,000 to pay for 9m high chain-link fencing which will catch the balls.

A meeting was held with residents at the site yesterday (Tuesday) to keep them up to date with what is being planned.

Mr Tucker said: “It’s not many of the balls that do go over but when they do they can cause damage.

“It disrupts the game as someone has to go and get them and we are worried about someone getting injured.

“Residents are having to move their cars and are staying indoors so we want to resolve it.”

The club plans to apply for grants and is looking into the possibility of taking out a bank loan to pay for the fencing.