VIDEO footage will provide answers to the questions surrounding what happened when seven players were sent from the field in the last three minutes of Saturday's Newcastle Rugby League under-19 match between Lakes United and Cessnock.

A brawl broke out between the two teams in their match at Cessnock Sportsground, and referee Evan Bridge dismissed six players as a result.

Three Lakes players were sent off and a fourth was given 10 minutes in the sin-bin, effectively ending his game as well.

Two Cessnock players were also sent off after the brawl, and a fifth Lakes player was sent from the field as the siren sounded for an alleged high tackle.

NRL officials said there was no rule stating how many players have to be on the field to constitute a game, so the result a 16-14 win to Lakes would stand.

"It's a given that all the players sent off will front the judiciary as normal," Country Rugby League regional manager for Newcastle Jamie O'Connor said. "From there the NRL officials will have a look at the video and will investigate if any further action needs to be taken."

NRL officials said the performance of the referee could also be investigated and they will refer that matter, if necessary, to the referee's association.

Meanwhile, the Newcastle under-18 team lost both matches in the CRL Regional Championships at No.1 Sportsground on the weekend.

The hosts were down 16-0 in their opening game against Bidgee Bulls on Saturday morning before fighting back to 22-22, only to be beaten 34-28.

Newcastle, coached by Knights chief executive Steve Burraston, were outclassed 28-12 by Oxley yesterday.