Brawl mars league game

Security guards have been hired to curb violence among spectators at a suburban rugby league ground.

But four guards weren't enough to stop an ugly on-field brawl involving both players and spectators at Addington Park on Saturday.

Fighting erupted between Halswell Hornets and University players in the Canterbury Rugby League division one grand final match just two minutes from full time, witnesses told The Star.

Spectators from both sides swarmed onto the field to join the fracas and police were called.

The witnesses, who asked not to be named, said many spectators had been drinking at the park during an earlier match and also throughout the final.

And rugby league referees say the problem of violent spectator behaviour fuelled by alcohol has been escalating alarmingly.

Canterbury Rugby League Referees Association acting chairman Mike Glover told The Star the security guards were hired after a recent plea for league bosses to provide protection for match officials.

Mr Glover declined to discuss Saturday's incident because it is under investigation and would be discussed at a referees' meeting last night.

But he did say referees and match officials were becoming increasingly concerned for their safety in the face of drunken and unruly spectators.

"Some incidents I've seen in the last 12 months have been the worst in the 30 years I've been involved in rugby league,'' Mr Glover said.

"We've had some games at (suburban) grounds where the behaviour from spectators has been appalling.''

He put the issue down to the loss of Rugby League Park at Addington, which sustained significant damage in the

February 2011 earthquake and was redeveloped as a rugby stadium.

"Officials there were able to ensure no alcohol was taken into the grounds,'' he said. "Now it's open slather. People can buy their dozen beer and drink it on the sidelines.''

Mr Glover called for an alcohol ban at sports grounds between 9am and 4pm on playing days.

Sport Canterbury chief executive Geoff Barry said he knew of no other sporting code hiring security guards.

However, he was aware that Canterbury Rugby League was "having challenges''.

"The fundamental issue is around not only player behaviour, but also spectator behaviour,'' he said.

Canterbury Rugby League general manager Craig Kerr confirmed "an incident'' was being investigated.

The league had hired security guards over the last two weekends at Addington Park in a bid to curb rowdy crowd behaviour.

"Obviously it hasn't worked,'' he said.

"It's still very unclear as to what actually occurred. We're seeking reports from match officials, both clubs and police and security guards.''