ALTHOUGH admitting that Tipiloma Kivalu was silly to get involved in the 65th-minute punch-up that led to his dismissal during their home National League Two North derby win over Wharfedale last Saturday, Otley's director of rugby Peter Clegg has some sympathy for his prop.

"He is the most mild-mannered person I have met," said Clegg of the 29-year-old Samoan, who Otley signed from Coventry during the close season.

"We were so dominant in the scrums that why would he get involved in a punch-up?

"The reason is, and we don't condone punching, is that he was being punched himself.

"He retaliated, and was silly to do so but he apologised to the referee afterwards."

Clegg admitted: "I have looked at the video but it is inconclusive because it was on the far side of the scrum.

"Tom O'Donnell was punched three times and didn't retaliate, appealed to the touch judge Dom Helme and was told to get on with it."

Clegg, who received a round of applause as he walked towards their changing room after the victory in this incident-filled derby, watched his side recover to win 39-27after an awful opening six minutes, in which they had flanker Jack Scott Paul sin-binned and conceded ten points.

The hosts ran in six tries to get off the mark for the season in convincing fashion, being awarded two penalty tries by referee Dr Jonathan Cook to add to tries by man of the match Jack Mackie (2), Kivalu and left winger Alexander Beaumont, Tom Hodson adding three conversions and a penalty.

“We would take that opening ten minutes back if we could but we scored some smashing tries,” said a delighted Clegg.

“We had control up front, Jack Mackie was influential in the backs on his return, and scrum half Max Johnson also did well."

Ninth-placed Otley are at third-placed Sedgley Park on Saturday, and Clegg added: "We lost 28-25 at home to them last season and 28-26 away – a total of five points – so we owe them one."