A GWENT rugby side are to cite a Rhondda Valley side following a "frightening" game they claim descended into a violent brawl.

Officials at Fleur-de-Lys Rugby Football Club are writing a letter of complaint to the Welsh Rugby Union about the conduct of Penygraig RFC after one of their players needed 54 stitches after receiving a kick to his face.

Division Three East leaders Penygraig had three players sent off during their 29-16 victory over near-rivals Fleur-de-Lys, who trail them in second place. The home side also had one player sent off.

But Fleur-de-Lys team manager Keith Thomas alleged Penygraig had used "brute force" against his side to "win at all costs" - claiming kicks and punches rained down on his team from the Rhondda side and the game turned into a mass brawl lasting eight minutes.

He said: "One of our players was being kicked on the floor while his son was watching on the touchline.

"The boy was in hysterics, and shouting, 'They're hitting my dad'." Fleur-de-Lys' back row forward Phil Smith was taken to the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, where he received 54 stitches in his nose and cheek.

Mr Thomas said: "The blood was pouring from his face and he needed four or five injections for the pain."

The player has not made a complaint to the police. He alleges that a threat was made to one of his players by a Penygraig player that they "would finish the job off" when Fleur-de-Lys play again later in the season. Allan Evans, the Gwent side's sponsorship secretary, said: "It had to be seen to be believed - it was scary and frightening."

He said Penygraig's behaviour reminded him of "a gang of boys fighting through drink". Penygraig's secretary, Peter Bowen, said the club would not comment on the allegations until they had received them "through the proper channels".

A WRU spokesman said the organisation was unable to comment until it received a letter from Fleur-de-Lys and the report of Cardiff referee Gerald Davies.

He said clubs guilty of disciplinary breaches were subject to fines and match bans. Fleur-de-Lys' committee are due to meet early in the New Year to discuss their course of action.