Police are investigating an alleged assault on a rugby ref at a senior club game in Ashburton on Saturday

Local media say a coach stormed on the field and struck the referee - then assaulted players trying to intervene.

It was reportedly in the dying moments of the Hampstead - Celtic senior B semifinal.

Mid Canterbury Rugby Union chief executive, Tanya Dearns, says there's no place for violence at any level in the game - and a judicial review's under way.

Police say enquiries are ongoing.