Sport and booze: One New Zealand cocktail that doesn't mix well

The behaviour of the crowd on Saturday night at the cricket in Christchurch left a great deal to be desired. While most spectators were sensible there were still a large number of people who drank too much and then seemed to make it their mission to disrupt the enjoyment for those around them.

Obvious examples include the idiot who ran out onto the field with no pants, winning himself a free night in a police holding cell; an even bigger idiot who threw a water bottle at a player (fortunately it missed); and the kind gentleman next to me who kept deliberately bumping me as I attempted to make notes (Where is my press pass, New Zealand Cricket?)

But the thing that worries me most is that this behaviour is really nothing remarkable. At the Super 14 opener there seemed to be some people who thought the point of going to a rugby match is to consume as much alcohol as possible in 80 minutes.

At the Wellington Sevens, which is a two-day long costume party, many fans were interviewed on TV between games and most slurred their words and looked like they were having trouble standing.