Early First Division pacesetters Wolves were yesterday declared the winners of last Sunday's match against Paget at Devonshire Recreation Club that was abandoned in the 80th minute after armed thugs stormed the ground.

Bermuda Football Association (BFA) announced Wolves, who led 6-0 at the time of the incident, as the eventual winners and also allowed the Devonshire-based club's goals to stand.

The result has now sent two-time defending First Division Dudley Eve champions Wolves (12 pts) one point clear of second placed Hamilton Parish who are also enjoying one of the their best starts to the season in years, with X Roads a further point off the pace in third.

Last Sunday at the Den the fast-thinking actions of two policemen stationed at the match thwarted a group of around 20 blade-wielding youths from clashing with a section of supporters gathered at the southern side of the ground, eye-witnesses said.

The officers called for back-up that was immediately dispatched to the scene where the culprits, who reportedly brandished machetes and hammers and hurled rocks and bottles at their intended victims, all escaped on foot.

The match was eventually called off for the safety of the players and fans minutes from the end while a women's match scheduled to follow featuring Lady Cougars and Dandy Stars was played at nearby St. John's Field instead.

According to the BFA's mandate for safety and security at local football venues the BFA and the clubs have a "duty to ensure that players, officials and spectators alike enjoy football in a safe and secure environment".

It was learned yesterday that last Sunday's ill-fated match had been categorised as "high risk" by the BFA's Safety and Security Committee, headed up by Troy Brimmer, that joined forces with field operators and the Police to ensure proper measures were put in place to prevent random acts of violence that have plagued football grounds across the Island in recent times from re-occurring.

"I was quite pleased with the way Devonshire Recreation Club stewards handled the situation. It was because of them that there was a police presence there and that was very much appreciated," one Wolves' official told The Royal Gazette.

Meanwhile, the BFA also announced yesterday that last Tuesday night's women's FM Cup semi-final involving Prospect and North Village, which was abandoned due to light failure, will now be played this Sunday at Police Field while the league match between Prospect and St. George's has been postponed.