DEVIZES and Melksham U17s match against Swindon U17 was abandoned on Saturday after just 20 minutes when it erupted in violence.

Several players from the combined team were stamped on and kicked during a series of violent challenges. The referee called the game off and awarded the victory to Devizes/Melksham after saying he was not convinced Swindon could control their players.

Devizes/Melksham player Tom Gould was left with a broken nose said his coach Graham Lacey.

His main complaint was the use of unnecessary rucking, which left several stud marks on many of the Devizes players.

Try scorer John Mills was left in agony after he scored his try. He dived on the floor to ground the ball a Swindon player drove his knees into Mills' back. The referee warned the player.

Lacey said: "The referee was perfectly right to abandon the match. He dealt with the situation with the players' safety at interest. The primary concern in a rugby match has to be the kids' safety."

Lacey was not happy with what he saw. He said: "The scenes of violent conduct are unacceptable, especially in youth rugby."

The coach hopes that the two teams can put the whole situation behind them.

He said: "I hope that my players and the players of Swindon can shake hands and play each other again soon. I do not think that the situation will occur again."

The violent actions stopped when the final whistle was blown. Lacey said: "After the match the lads mingled in the club house and had their food together. No incidents took place after the match."

The coach thought that the fans who came out to watch did not like what they saw. He said: "There was no bad feeling between the spectators, most were upset or distraught at what was going on."

Lock Ed Ellis started the scoring for Devizes, Mills grabbed the second try. Andrew Thompson Converted the first try and scored a penalty to seal the win.

No one from the Swindon side was available for comment.