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Police were called to a cricket ground after a gang of drunken teenagers invaded the pitch and attacked players.

Violence broke out late on Saturday afternoon at Linthwaite Cricket and Bowling Club as the first XI took on Kirkheaton.

A group of around 12 teenagers attacked players after being asked to leave the ground, according to a witness.

One of the teenagers was heard shouting "this is our postcode - we run this postcode" shortly before trouble broke out.

Four players were injured, including one Kirkheaton cricketer who suffered a broken leg when he was hit with a wooden pole.

The four were treated in hospital for their injuries.

The violence went on for around 20 minutes and involved around 10 boys and two teenage girls who had armed themselves with cricket stumps.

Two of the teenage boys pulled out knives during the trouble and one had a baseball bat, according to one player.

One witness said: "In the second half (of the match) there was a mass brawl on the pitch. There was a group of teenagers aged between 15 and 19 who have entered the field.

"They decided they wanted to break seats and do someone some harm. Linthwaite players and the crowd tried to usher them off the field and a few punches were thrown.

"From then on it descended into chaos."

'One of the teenagers was threatening to 'shank' people with a knife'

The source, who asked not to be named, told ExaminerLive that one of the teenagers suddenly produced a baseball bat while another made threats to stab people.

"One of the teenagers was threatening to 'shank' people with a knife. The knife was dropped on the field and has been handed over to the police."

Witnesses said the teenagers had been drinking and smoking cannabis.

"The players were just trying to get them out of the ground and to calm them down and to protect themselves. It was very scary."

As the violence escalated, some teenagers armed themselves with the club's own pitchforks and spades.

"They went to the side of the shed, found the pitchforks and spades and started to attack people again."

Some of the teenagers directed racist comments at Asian members of the Linthwaite side, the witness claimed.

Two teenage girls also joined the attack after grabbing hold of cricket stumps and threatening people with them.

The game was called off as police gathered evidence at the scene and spoke to witnesses.

"The kids ran off towards Grosvenor Chemicals. An ambulance was called for the lad who broke his leg," according to the witness.

"I have never seen anything like it. These children had no respect. Members of the bowling club witnessed it. It was just carnage. One of the kids was shouting 'just stab them' or 'just shank them'."

A player, who did not want to be named, said the teenagers involved had been seen drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis shortly before they became violent.

He said one of the teenagers was armed with a lock knife while another had a kitchen knife.

"I was on the ground scuffling with one of them when another tried to stab me in the face with a pitchfork. I believe four people were injured. One player was hit on the hand with a baseball bat and another was hit on the head.

"There were spectators who were in tears with fear. It was awful."

He added: "I think they were drugged up and had been drinking."

West Yorkshire Police was approached for comment but was unable to provide any details.

It is believed that at least one person has been arrested.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Ambulance Service confirmed they were called to attend the ground at 5.20pm on Saturday but had been 'stood down' and did not attend.