A CYCLE speedway meeting spun out of control with violence erupting among riders, spectators and officials.
Sheffield Stars needed a win at Great Blakenham to keep alive their mathematical hopes of winning the 2008 Premier League title.
Controversy began in the first of the 18 heats when Sheffield's Andy Angell responded angrily to an alleged blow to the head as the riders returned to the pits.
The drama continued in the second heat when the home team took the lead after Mitchell Spear was disqualified for cutting up an opponent.
Emotions boiled over in the next race.
The Stars' Radek Sieradski and Blakenham's Chris Osborne clashed following a collision on the track.
Riders, officials and even home spectators were embroiled in a brawl where punches and kicks were exchanged.
Referee, Mike Legge, of Dorset, managed the situation as well as anyone but he had no choice but to send off Sieradski and Osborne.
In the subsequent melee, he also red-carded a second Blakenham competitor and the match was held up for a few minutes to allow both sides to gather composure.
The Stars' discipline held up throughout the remaining 15 heats, although Blakenham suffered a third red card late on when Leon Mower got his marching orders for foul and abusive language.
On the track, Sheffield triumphed 87-73.
Sheffield scorers were: Andy Angell 17, Marcin Szymanski 18 (+2 assists), Mitchell Spear 12(+2), Pawel Kozlowski 16 (+1), Radek Sieradski 10, Dariusz Pilas 11, Ryan Hoyland 10, Leon Wild 3.
READ MORE Football headlines. Football gossip. More Blades More Owls.
More Spireites. More Rovers. More Reds. More Millers.CricketIce hockey More rugby. More boxing. Sports columnists. All sport categoriesThe full article contains 288 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
