An altercation between rival players on the first day of Cup Match is being investigated.

Somerset Cricket Club Richard Scott confirmed that an inquiry into the matter has been launched and could result in disciplinary action.

“We will certainly do a deep-dive investigation,” Scott told The Royal Gazette.

“I don’t want to make any decisions based on assumptions, but as soon as we have an opportunity to get all the parties together we will then handle it accordingly.

“I certainly just want to reiterate about the importance of these guys playing this match from a place of sportsmanship and that we have really no place for any bad behaviour. As we stressed, bad behaviour will be dealt with.

“There will be action taken as a result of what the findings pan out to be. Neil [Paynter, the St George’s Cricket Club president] and I had a brief conversation about it with the view that we will sit down and discuss the matter in greater detail.”

Both clubs are expected to meet over the matter in the near future.

“We did have a brief chat and will meet soon,” Paynter confirmed.

Scott expressed his disappointment over the incident, which evoked memories of the unsportsmanlike conduct displayed last year at Wellington Oval.

“I am a bit disappointed particularly because of what we went through last year,” Scott said.

“But one of the things I am learning as a leader is not to respond emotionally; just make sure it’s important for us to get the facts as to what really has transpired before making any decisions, and we will certainly do that,” he said.

St George’s vice-captain Macai Simmons was initially banned from Somerset’s premises for one year after an altercation with Somerset coach Janeiro Tucker last year. That was later replaced with a suspended one-year ban.

St George’s Cricket Club also apologised to the public for the conduct of their players at Cup Match, while sports minister Owen Darrell also called for behaviour that could compromise the spirit of the two-day Annual Classic to improve.