Unbelievable.

As a referee in the amateur leagues, when two players start to fight, i'll get both captains over and the offending players and I'll bin both players and tell the captains that the next time I'll take more action. I've never had anything more serious than a yellow for fighting. I think that a yellow is sufficent for fighting.

A guy who runs in a throws a few from behind gets a red, as should all cowardly acts. A toe to toe is a yellow and a beer in the bar afterwards - FFS its not soccer.

So in that case it should have been yellow's for Tickle and Hauraki, Red for Carney and nothing for O'Meley (who didnt throw a punch)

Maybe throw in a yellow for Chase who headbutted Lineham and an MBE for Lineham for taking Chase to the ground!

Carney was extremely lucky to stay on the pitch. Came in from nowhere and threw punches at a defenceless Liam Watts (who was caught up between players). Mark O'Meley didn't throw a single punch. How was he binned?!

Would liked to have seen more of what happened between Chase and Lineham. I saw that Lineham had him in a clinch on the ground at one point.

Think the biggest punishments will go to Tickle and Carney. Hauraki barely did anything other than niggle in the tackle and barely got a lunch in. Which player was it that swung the arm at Tickle in the first place? (The swinging arm that Ganson missed and still gave Cas a penalty).

Keith Mason was the instigator of the incident He put in the swinging arm (2nd or 3rd of the match by him) which missed Tickle (Luckily) and i think Tickle got confused and had a pop at Hauraki and that’s when it all kicked off.

Carney was lucky to stay on the field with running in wind milling.

Toe to toe fighting should be sin bin and let them let off some steam on the bench, cheap shot fighting should be a straight red i.e. running in and attacking someone from the blindside

To me there is adifference between a flare up and a fight.
If things get heated and two gusy start fighting, yellow card them to calm it down.

The guys running in and throwing punches are different. I'd send them off.

YES!

The sinbin is there for players to cool off. Sending players off ruins the rest of the game.

Carney got 2 matches, Tickle and Hauraki got 1 each. In my opinion, sending off sufficient for Tickle and Hauraki and a match for Carney would have been fair.

I was not at the game nor saw the video clips however I feel compelled to defend Keith Mason.

Keith is advising Mickey Rourke on a script about a rugby player (Gareth Thomas?)who comes out at the end of his career after years of hiding his homosexuality. He may even get a writing credit. And he has established a nutrition business with joe calzaghe. His head is full of writing arcs, welsh colloquialisms, marketing strategies and distribution logistics....so cut him a little slack if his arm swings occassionally.

So you're saying we should allow him poetic licence for having a dig. I've heard it all now!!

At least Carney didn't get away with what he did. Two players slugging it out is one thing but charging in and throwing punches like there's no tomorrow on someone who can't defend themselves properly is something else entirely.

Personally

Toe to toe between two guys - Yellow
Cheap shots on prone or unaware players - Red

Simple really

Toe to toe = dismissed to a MMA style cage at the side of the pitch with its own camera, which can be accessed via the red button. Last man standing is allowed to return to the field of play.

Running in = one free punch from every oppostion player.

Being Rangi Chase = automatic sending off immediately following the first whistle.

Being Gareth Hock = punishment enough.

+1

The sin bin is there for the lads to cool down nd make sure the game doesn't descend into a brawl. That's all that's needed.

Punish the cheap shots,though.