Amateur rugby match ends in mass brawl

A STUNNED Lee Bayliss said “It was absolute mayhem”

AN amateur rugby league match ended in disarray following a mass brawl in which a Hollinwood player was left injured.

The Pennine League Division Five side’s game at Stainland Stags, West Yorkshire, was abandoned by the referee just before half-time when supporters ran on to the pitch and started fighting with players.

Hollinwood player Alan Dalton was allegedly kicked in the head and poked in the eyes as he lay on the ground.

The police were called during Saturday’s match and statements were taken from witnesses.

Lee Bayliss, who coaches Hollinwood, said: “It was absolute mayhem. I have never seen anything like it at an amateur match before.

“There was an altercation between Liam Parker and one of their players. One of the fans ran on to the pitch to try and get involved, and before I knew it, around 50 supporters had followed him.

“The referee stopped it and one of our officials called the police.

“Unfortunately, some of the instigators ran off before the officers arrived. It was an away game so we had a handful of people supporting us, and we just tried to pen them in as far away from the trouble as possible.

“Most of the players didn’t even have a shower, we just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible.

“Alan Dalton was still struggling hours later, his eyes couldn’t stop watering.

“As far as I am concerned, we will not be going back there in the future.”

Pennine League secretary Sue Taylor said: “As this matter is up for a disciplinary review, we cannot comment at this time, other than to say it has been reported to us that the match was stopped due to a brawl.”