Tesco had given the team £8 of sausages a week

Tesco had been donating £8 worth of sausages for hot dogs and bangers and mash after their matches at Gowerton, near Swansea, but suspended the offer after a spate of vandalism at its local store.

The rugby team insisted it had nothing to do with their players and now Tesco has now apologised and given the young players £100 in gift vouchers.

"The store manager has had a meeting with the club and parents," said a spokesman for Tesco.

"The £100 of vouchers was given to the club by way of an apology for the misunderstanding."

Village councillor Ron Thomas said there had been a lot of problems outside the store but the vandalism had not been carried out by members of the junior teams.

"To penalise these children is a bit absurd," he said.

"It's quite counterproductive. The vandalism has got nothing to do with these youngsters."

Tesco sponsors the under-nine and under-11 teams as part of its efforts to help youth organisations near its stores.