FUN POLICE: Beer snakes on the wane The snake's alive (almost) as it makes its way around the SCG. Picture: Brett Costello Source: news.com.au SCG security breaks up beer snake Comes just weeks after beer snake record Snaking: Are you a fan or not? LAST month's world record beer snake was one of many highlights from what's been a wonderful summer of cricket, but don't count on trying to beat the feat when you next attend a big match. We had a gripping Test series against South Africa and Peter Siddle emerged as a world-class bowler - but the jewel in the crown was a chain of empty plastic cups, spanning more than 100m, formed at the SCG. It happened during a lengthy rain delay in the eventually scrapped one-day international between Australia and Sri Lanka on January 20. On that occasion, ground staff and police actually assisted patrons in forming the world record snake. Cricket Australia's official line is this: on some occasions, such as that rained-out match, the activity hence known as snaking is acceptable because it doesn't interfere with others' enjoyment of the game. On other occasions, such as last Friday night's match at the same venue, it's unacceptable. Scores of patrons had cups confiscated by ground managers, and fans at the match said many were escorted away from their seats by security personnel. Sydney cricket fan David Yeomans was at Friday's match and said it was "ridiculous" how many people were kicked out for getting involved in snaking. "They were grabbing anyone who held up a stack of about six or more cups and taking them out of the ground," he said. I don't know what the big deal is - it's a way to get everyone involved and usually creates a bit more of an atmosphere around the ground. Why on the one hand is it perfectly OK to participate in some classic snaking, but on the other it's deemed a public nuisance - on an ad-hoc basis? Cricket Australia spokesman Philip Pope says it's up to the staff to make a judgment call on the day. "As a general principle, any activity that impinges on the crowd's ability to enjoy the cricket is dealt with by the security staff," he told news.com.au. Would you like the beer snake to stay or go? Comment below Cricket Australia endorsed the world record beer snake last month by announcing the achievement on the SCG's big screen via CATV (Cricket Australia TV). Mr Pope says security staff and police were, in that instance, willing to let the crowd build the snake during a prolonged rain delay because in doing so they weren't disrupting other patrons. We are attempting to appeal to families. We want them to enjoy their day and to come back," he said. Security will judge things on a case-by-case basis. Patrons don't generally like beer to be spilled on them or to be hit by flying plastic cups. The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) manages crowd behaviour at the MCG and says snaking is strictly not allowed. "Our experience with such activities is that not only do they restrict the view of patrons, they can also be a forerunner to more unruly behaviour, which we are keen to prevent," a spokesman told news.com.au The primary aim is to ensure everyone has an enjoyable and safe day at the cricket. Victoria Police actively supports our position on this matter.