Drunken rugby fans go on the rampage

A Highlanders defeat and balmy temperatures stirred up a drunken frenzy by hundreds of rugby fans in Dunedin last night.

Police made four arrests for assault, wilful damage and intoxication, as well as evicting many more fans from Carisbrook, and issuing $200 fines for alcohol offences.

The Highlanders lost 11-26 to the Sharks in the Super 14 rugby game.

Sergeant David Scott said the combination of the warm night and the rugby loss led to the trouble.

"If it's cold and raining people don't usually loiter around [after the game], they usually come out of the pub and get a taxi.

"But if it's warm and there are two groups of males -- it all turns to custard."

Senior Sergeant Phil McDouall said his officers were tied up for most the night, but young women caused them the most problems.

He was concerned to see so many young intoxicated women.

"I wonder if their parents knew what they were up to and what state some of them get themselves into at these games," Mr McDouall said.

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Meanwhile, police donned riot gear to disperse about 300 young people, after a party got out of control in Palmerston North last night.

Police were called to Main Street at about 11.30pm and were confronted with the large group, many described by police as "intoxicated and unruly".

Sergeant Phillip Ward said as police attempted to gain control they were pelted with bottles and cans, with a police vehicle being damaged during the onslaught.

After temporarily closing part of Main Street, police donned riot helmets to disperse the party goers.

Mr Ward said police would not tolerate such behaviour.

"The bottle throwers have not been identified at this stage and no arrests were made.

"While most of the people left when asked there was hard core few that attempted to turn things nasty."

- NZPA