Around 20 blade-wielding youths attempted to storm a football match at Devonshire Recreation Club yesterday, resulting in it being abandoned.

Gang violence and bloodshed like that famously witnessed at the Wellington Oval in 2004 appeared to have been narrowly averted thanks to the prompt action of Police.

According to a spokesman, two extra-duty Police officers were monitoring the ground during the Wolves vs. Paget Lions match when they saw the group brandishing bladed articles and approaching the gate in an attempt to enter the ground.

"The officers called for additional Police units which immediately responded to the scene. The youths then made good their escape on foot," said the spokesman.

According to some reports, the gang managed to access the spectator area of Devonshire Rec, on Frog Lane, by climbing over a fence.

Wendy Woodley, a lineswoman at the game, said the fracas could be seen from the pitch.

"There were skirmishes along the southern end of the roadway, adjacent to the canteen, which we could see from the field and then proceeded to the eastern end, fellows brandishing machetes or the like and I swear that I heard something like a gun shot," she said.

"That's when I told referee Antoine Augustus that we better abandon this game."

The match was subsequently called off for the safety of players and fans with just a few minutes to go. A women's football match scheduled to follow was moved to a different venue.

The violence by machete and knife wielding thugs at the Wellington Oval during the Friendship Trophy Final three years ago was one of the driving forces behind a tough new law. There is now a mandatory three-year prison term for people convicted of carrying a bladed article in public.

Larry Mussenden — who was behind that legislation in his former role as Attorney General — condemned yesterday's incident in his capacity as President of the Bermuda Football Association.

Although he was not present at the game, Mr. Mussenden said a second-hand report he received indicated the youths accessed the field where the spectators were and a disturbance ensued between some fans.

"We are extremely disappointed by this behaviour," he said — noting that the substantial jail terms meted out to those involved in the Wellington Oval incident should have warned against a repetition of such violence.

"We appeal to members of the public not to arm themselves with bladed weapons and not to come to football matches where families are trying to enjoy an an afternoon. Football is a family sport."

Mr. Mussenden said the BFA has launched an investigation. He also pointed out that it has introduced stringent security measures recently including club stewards receiving safety and security training from the Police, being equipped with wands to check spectators for weapons, and Police officers being present at all BFA games this season.

Wolves president Hewvonnie Brown said he believed the incident had nothing to do with the game.

"I didn't really see anything... I don't think they really got across the entrance where the security gate was. I think they came over the fence. None of my players was alarmed (about) the situation.

"It seems as if it was a Town and Country type of rivalry. I was quite pleased with the way Devonshire Rec Club stewards handled the situation. It was because of them that there was a Police presence there, and that was very much appreciated," he said.

Michael Stovell, president of Paget Lions, declined to comment until he had spoken to BFA and Devonshire Rec officials. However, he said he shared Mr. Brown's view that the violence was unrelated to the teams.

No one from Devonshire Recreation Club was available for comment.

The Police spokesman said suggestions the youths made it as far as the spectators were unsubstantiated by official records, as were reports that a gunshot was heard.

No arrests were made as a result of the skirmish. Any witnesses or anyone with information should contact the Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295-0011 or the confidential Crime Stoppers Hotline on 1-800-623-8477.