Ian Upstone

Interesting dilemma. Without knowing the whole situation you could come to all sorts of different conclusions, but given just the bare facts of that example (ryote moche tenchinage ichi) where uke "should" be pulling, but was in fact, and as a senior, doing the opposite, you may have several options and motives here.

1. He was pushing in order to make you use correct technique against his push - as you know, the technique is laughably easy with uke pulling (as it should be!) so without that from uke you have to use excellent technique (using hiriki properly, extending the lower hand both out and around uke as you step etc etc).

2. He wanted to see if you were thinking on your feet (using the 'ni' (ura) version from his push, or in some way adapting the technique to move through him despite the push - sometimes a little pull, so uke changes to compensate, then an irimi movement as he does this may do the trick)

3. He was, as been suggested, being an awkward bugger to claim a small and pointless victory over you.

As this chap had lots going for him (physical size/strength, a guest and a senior) and obviously didn't explain his reasons, you were left guessing, and were not in a position to dominate him either through rank politeness or physical size. I'd guess he was doing option 1, espescially if he is a strong proponent of getting basics to work, but like I said, that's a guess!