HEREFORD Rugby Club are hoping they don't get docked points after their game against Walsall was abandoned following a "fracas" between both sets of players.

The Wyesiders were leading 7-0 when tempers flared eight minutes into the second half following an alleged stamp by Hereford's Lloyd Willcocks on a Walsall player during a ruck. That led to the Walsall forward retaliating with a punch and other players getting involved.

Both Willocks and the Walsall player were sent off before the match was called off to the amazement of everyone.

Because 60 minutes had not been completed, the match will have to be rearranged.

"I think the ref lost control momentarily," said Hereford captain Ali McColl.

"No doubt there was a lot of bad blood, but he claims all 30 players were involved, which is untrue.

"Both myself and their captain were called and I thought he was just going to issue a warning, but he didn't and instead abandoned the game.

"There is a bit of a stigma with Hereford, but I have been here 12 years and, and for six of them, this is not the same team as before.

"He has refereed us plenty of times and I thought he would give us the benefit of the doubt.

"There is a risk of a violent charge, which could mean points being docked.

"I hope that doesn't happen."

Hereford coach Kieram Hallam added that he had never seen anything like it.

"Something obviously erupted and a few of the boys came flying in and fists were being thrown, but some of those people are trying to pull other players away," said Hallam.

"He thought there was a safety issue and he was the ref so it's his call.

"Both teams were in the bar afterwards though doing the man-of-the-match awards and there was no animosity, it's just typical rugby that happens in loads of games.

"It's now up to the RFU what happens.

"Both teams have to put in a report and give their account of what happened, but there could be a points deduction."

Hereford have now had two successive home games abandoned, while a previous game was postponed due to Stoke deeming the pitch unplayable.

The Wyesiders' last completed home match was against Worcester Wanderers on November 28.

"We now haven't got a free weekend until he end of the season and will have to play on Easter Saturday," added Hallam.

"We've also got a cup semi-final at Bromsgrove, which will probably have to be played after the season has finished."

Mark Philo scored Hereford's try, which was converted by Dean Powell.