Somerset Cricket Club president Richard Scott has vowed to take disciplinary action against any of his players who displayed unsportsmanlike conduct during Cup Match at Wellington Oval last week.

The two-day classic was marred by a number of unsavoury incidents, which have sparked public outcry and a call for Somerset and St Georges to clamp down on unruly behaviour in order to preserve the event’s integrity and rich legacy.

Scott said his club does not condone poor conduct and will now “go through the process” before determining if any disciplinary action is necessary.

“I know the public want us to respond immediately, but you can’t have these kneejerk reactions and then it turns out the case was based on hearsay,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“We will go through the process, which involves reports from umpires, chairman of selectors and even the captain. When we get those, it’s time to sift through the information because what we want to do is make sure all of the infractions are given due process.

“If it’s necessary we will begin the hearings or meetings with the individuals and impose fines, suspensions or even expulsions in some cases. This has happened before, so it’s not new and we have things in place.”

Players on both teams remonstrated with the umpires after being dismissed, while Somerset colt Zeri Tomlinson was physically intimidated by some of his opponents.

Somerset batter Tre Manders was barged and had water thrown in his face by former St George’s captain Onias Bascome on his way to the crease, while Somerset coach Janeiro Tucker was allegedly assaulted by St George’s vice-captain Macai Simmons.

Three spectators also entered the field to vent their frustration at umpire Marc McCormack over his decision to adjudge Bascome out leg-before, with one of them having to be kept apart from the umpire by a Somerset player.

“The behaviour is disappointing,” Scott said. We certainly understand that in sports there are times when emotions overtake reality, and I think we saw an excessive amount of emotional responses on the field on Thursday and Friday,” Scott said.

“I believe that it’s time for us all to recognise that playing Cup Match is a great reward. With great responsibility comes great rewards but sometimes we have to look at that in reverse and the reward of playing Cup Match comes with great responsibility from administration to players, officials and even the viewing public.

“The origins of Cup Match comes out of emancipation and slavery, and some could argue have we really and truly been emancipated in our minds as a result of what we saw? It’s disappointing but we will bounce back from this.”

Scott said it is important to learn from the experience and make the necessary adjustments to discourage such behaviour from recurring at Cup Match.

“Life has all sorts of challenges attached and there are things we all do that are less than admirable,” he said

“It’s not how you start it’s how you finish and if we improve from this then good. But if we don’t then this says a lot about who we are as a society, and not just the players who are a representation of their family, their community and their club, but it’s a reflection of who we are as a people.

“I think to some degree we still have our head buried in the sand about the seriousness of where we are as a country. It’s very easy for us to point fingers and say it’s your fault, but we all have a responsibility to make sure this behaviour stops and no one wants to talk about that part.

“The players who have been selected to play Cup Match are the creme de la creme of local cricket. They are being watched worldwide and not just in Bermuda, so that’s a great responsibility for all of us, even myself as president.”

Leading by example, Scott drew reference to a personal experience at Cup Match which he hopes will encourage players responsible for unruly behaviour on and of the pitch to take accountability for their own actions.

“I had an incident at the main gate on Friday and I was rude to the lady who was in charge of the VIP wristbands,” he said.

“But I recognised that I was out of order with her and the security, so I went back and apologised to both of them because when you are wrong you put your hand up, state that you’re wrong, accept responsibility and move on.

“I would hope that these players will put their hand up and say they were wrong for their behaviour, they accept their responsibility and are going to do everything in their power to do better.”