Adding insult to injury, two motorcycles and a bicycle were stolen and mini scuffles broke out among disgruntled fans.

The game began at approximately 22:45 hrs and North Ruimveldt scored the first basket courtesy of a free throw by Rondell Murphy. They forged ahead to lead 7-1 after 4:05 had elapsed in the first. Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust however managed to close the gap to one point 7-6 after consecutive baskets. The game was tied at 8 by North Ruimveldt but Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust went ahead 10-8 with 5:43 to go in the first quarter. A three-pointer by former national captain Lugard Mohan made it a one point lead for North Ruimveldt. The game was tied again at 15 as both teams fought hard for the early edge. Mohan again led from the front as he scored two consecutive baskets to put his team in the lead after the first quarter 25-23.

On the resumption the game was tied again at 25. However after several turnovers by Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust, North Ruimveldt managed to open a six point lead 34-28 with 6:07 to go in the second. They managed to extend their lead by eight at 41-33 with 3:54 to go. However, Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust rallied well to close the gap and at half time it was a three point game 46-43 in favour of North Ruimveldt.

As the second half began, the game see-sawed back and forth as the lead fluctuated between both teams. The scores were tied at 54 with 4:30 remaining in the third as the battle for supremacy and the title raged on. With 2:53 to go North Ruimveldt called a time out as they were guilty of giving away too many turnovers quite easily. As a result by the end of the third period of play they were behind by two points 59-61.

As the final segment began a revitalized Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust went on a 6-0 run and raced to an eight point lead 67-59 as North Ruimveldt seemed to be losing their cool. North Ruimveldt called a time out as they tried to cool things down and to slow Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust's advance. It seemed to have worked as they closed the gap to five at 67-62, then three on the back of an Andrew Ifill free throw at 69-63. The game by now was fever pitched as both teams scrambled for the ascendancy with several brilliant plays by both teams. With the result hanging in the balance at 69-66 Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust called a time out as the tension was almost tangible at the Sports Hall. The crowd by now was becoming excited as they too got into action with chants and clapping and stomping for their home team. It was a two point game 69-67 with 2:34 left in the match and with 1:56 to go Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust stayed in front 73-67. With 1:30 to go they still held the lead by four 74-70. As the seconds ticked away and a timely turnover presented itself North Ruimveldt again moved to within striking distance of the lead with a lay up for two points to make it 74-72. With 15.0 to go in the game and the ball in North Ruimveldt's possession an initial disruption occurred as a bottle was thrown on to the court with the game catapulting towards an unbearable nerve wrangling end. After several minutes order was restored as security personnel and the organizers tried their best to contain the boisterous crowd which by now was spilling onto the edges of the playing area. The game resumed with North Ruimveldt in possession of the ball and a chance to win with a three pointer or a tie with a two point lay up. However No. 8 Darcelle Harris was fouled with 2.4 seconds left. With all at stake he went to the foul line. He caved in to the pressure as his first shot fell short of the rim.

This was too much for some fans who probably felt that North Ruimveldt had lost at that point. Immediately after his miss bottles started to hit the court, shattering as angry fans vented their anger and disappointment. The melee forced players, officials and other fans to grab whatever was at hand to place over their heads to avoid injury. Even the media were at the mercy of the bottle throwers as they sought refuge from the assault in whatever way they could.

In an invited comment one of the organizers, Dennis Clarke, stated that it was regrettable what happened and blamed it on overzealous fans of both teams. Clarke said that no bottles were sold from the `bars' in the Sports Hall and that it was persons who had concealed bottles on their person when entering and leaving the venue that contributed to the chaotic situation.

He revealed that they had approached the Guyana Police Force for police protection but were told that the force was reluctant to have uniformed policemen at the venue because of concerns for their personal safety.

The organizer added that the match will have to be continued because it was still possible for either side to win or the match could go into overtime.

Clarke said that he had gotten a written letter from the administrator of the Sports Hall informing him that all activities at that location will cease until further notice.

The administrator of the venue when contacted for a comment told Stabroek Sport that it was obvious that the security on hand was too limited to control such a huge crowd. He was of the opinion that the organizers may have cut corners by not employing a bigger team of security personnel.

He mentioned that Director of Sports Neil Kumar was informed of the situation and had visited the location yesterday.

The administrator also added that a meeting with all stakeholders will be held to discuss the situation and to recommend the way forward because of the ramifications of what had happened.