What could possibly make a midnight rugby match even more thrilling? Lighting the ball on fire would do it.
Unfortunately for a group of young men in Mackenzie St, North Dunedin at 11pm last night, their newly-discovered sport quickly came to the attention of emergency services, Acting Senior Sergeant Iain Notman, of Dunedin, said.
Police went to the street, saw the men kicking the flaming ball, and gave them some education and preventive advice.
They asked that the now extinguished ball remain unlit.
There was no damage except to the rugby ball, Snr Sgt Notman said.