Stamford Rugby Club’s match with Old Laurentians is abandoned
Two serious injuries forced the abandonment of Stamford's home match with Old Laurentians in Counties 1 Midlands East (South) on Saturday.
Stamford's Ian Downer and Jack Brooks were both taken to hospital in the contest between two teams who had started the day in third and fourth place respectively.
Fly-half Downer broke his leg during a contact situation.
Club medical staff were in attendance and Downer was made as comfortable as possible while awaiting an ambulance.
In accordance to regulations, play was transferred to the adjacent pitch but, within 10 minutes, the replacement player, Brooks, suffered a serious knee injury.
Medical staff from both clubs again attended and a second ambulance was called for and, at this point, the referee had no option but to abandon the game in the 62nd minute with Stamford leading 17-8.
Both players were subsequently transferred to hospital where they received the necessary attention they needed.
The best wishes of all at Stamford Rugby Club goes to both Ian and Jack for a full and speedy recovery. Old Laurentians have also been in touch with their hosts to offer their best wishes.
The game had started with neither team being able to get the upper hand in the opening period.
New Stamford scrum half Fraser Hutton settled in well and linked the forwards and backs but it was the visitors who got the first breakthrough when they built a series of phases which ended with a try.
Stamford hit back strongly with the forwards getting some good drives going.
They kicked for a five metre line-out and it was Ben Chisholm who won the ball and then drove over for a try that levelled the score at 5-5.
The visiting Rugby side managed to convert a penalty before Stamford lost Harry Bentley to injury.
Stamford rallied and it was another line-out drive that produced a good ball for the backs to attack at pace and Dave Martin went over for the second try to make the score 10-8.
It was the home forwards who were now bossing the game and, when an Old Laurentians player collapsed a maul, he was shown a yellow card.
Town opted for a scrum and drove for the line but knocked on at the moment of scoring to leave the score at half-time at 10-8.
Stamford continued in the second half where they left off and the forwards were giving Old Laurentians a hard time when the first serious injury happened and, after a delay, the game continued on the adjacent pitch with Stamford in control.
From a scrum in the opposition 22, Gaz Ramsden picked up and crashed over for a try which Hutton converted to extend the lead to 17-8.
However, from the restart, the second injury occurred and at 62 minutes played the referee had to abandon the game.
It has not been clarified at this time if the result at this point will stand or a replay will be arranged. Players and supporters from both clubs know that the welfare of Ian and Jack is the most important issue at this time.
