SATURDAY was a black day for visiting players of Sandown and Shanklin Rugby Club.

Not only were they hammered 50-5 by opponents Winchester, but a thief got away with an estimated £5,000 worth of personal belongings in a raid on the players' changing room.

The thief had flashed a fake warrant card at one player, saying he was from the home team and offered to lock the valuables in the changing room for safe-keeping.

Another player, who had followed the man back to the changing rooms, even saw him jangle some keys in the lock to make his con look more authentic.

However, when the visiting team, Sandown & Shanklin's second XV, returned to the changing rooms after their drubbing by Winchester's third XV, they realised they had been had.

Guy Carroll, the injured Sandown vice-captain first approached by the thief, said: "He was as bold as brass.

"He had the hi-tech boots, and even the picture-embossed warrant card and was totally believable.

"He even warned us about the spate of thefts in the area over the last few weeks, at Winchester City Football Club next door.