A match between an Upper Clutha under-16 side and a Cromwell under-17 side ended in ugly scenes on August 11, with a mass brawl between players. Police were called and a Cromwell player was referred to Youth Aid.
Accusations had flown over what started the brawl. A hearing in late August had suspended a Cromwell player for two matches and both teams had also been stood down from playing for two weeks.
The Otago Country Rugby Board met both clubs in late August and released a statement yesterday. It voiced its condemnation of the events which took place and the actions of club supporters from both teams.
"This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated, as it does nothing for the game or associations between clubs," the board said in a statement.
"It also indicated the importance of ground control rules which the board has been trying to instil into clubs for some years.
"It was evident there was fault on both sides."
The board said disciplinary action had to be carried out by both clubs. A letter of apology between the clubs had to be written and both clubs needed to put in place strategies to ensure good player and spectator conduct.
When contacted yesterday, Country chairman Geoff McPhee said both clubs were in the process of carrying out the tasks set by the board.
He said the board for some years had wanted to have grounds properly fenced off and reserves sitting in a designated area. The lack of fencing had contributed to the events at the junior game, when spectators ran on to the field.
Some clubs did fence off grounds, while others did not.
Ground fencing was something the board wanted to implement across the region.
