Fracas causes Harpenden-Stevenage abandonment

London North One Harpenden v Stevenage (match abandoned) Harpenden and Stevenage Town will have to write to Herts RFU to explain their version of events after Saturday s match between the two sides had to be abandoned due to a mass brawl. The referee call

London North One

Harpenden v Stevenage (match abandoned)

Harpenden and Stevenage Town will have to write to Herts RFU to explain their version of events after Saturday's match between the two sides had to be abandoned due to a mass brawl.

The referee called a halt to proceedings after 72 minutes when a fracas broke out involving players and spectators.

Both clubs have now been asked to provide statements to the RFU which will then be looked at by a disciplinary committee before being forwarded to a league committee.

They will then rule on what action to take against both clubs and whether the match will be replayed or awarded in Stevenage's favour as they were leading 22-15 at the time of the incident.

Harpenden were frustrated the game was abandoned with the home side in the process of staging a superb comeback.

The hosts found themselves 22-0 down at half time but a stirring second half performance had them back in contention before the referee intervened.

Winger Pattison collected a poor clearance to run in a superb try and the deficit was further reduced when Spiers converted a penalty.

Buoyed by this Harpenden continued to apply pressure and they were rewarded in the 63rd minute when Spiers crossed the whitewash. Spiers dusted himself down to convert the try and put Harpenden within a score of their visitors.

The home side were denied this opportunity though when the referee called a halt to proceedings.

Harpenden return to action this Saturday when they welcome Bury St Edmunds (KO 2.30pm) to Redbourn Lane.