Friendly abandoned as player is hospitalised

Aug 28 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

A HORROR injury to Darlington star Richard Leigh prompted an early end to Hamilton’s final pre-season friendly on Saturday.

With Hamilton leading 14-12 after an hour’s play, young centre Leigh collapsed on the pitch and received treatment from medical staff and paramedics before being taken to hospital, and the match was abandoned.

Although Darlington officials report that Richard is stable and has been talking to his family, there are concerns that damage has been done to his heart, and he is undergoing tests this week to determine the exact situation. It is expected that he will remain in hospital for several days.

Hamilton travelled down to North Division One side Darlington without having been able to train during the week, as torrential rain left Laigh Bent unplayable.

Craig Sangster, Jason Agnew and Stuart Bartwicki were unable to travel, while Stuart Eynon and Richie Maxton, who did make the journey south, weren’t fit enough to play.

However new centre Matt Sheen, signed from Chester, was available.

Darlington provided strong opposition, and club captain Allan Dodds had to use his full pace to prevent nippy winger Adam Kibirige from scoring early on.

Ollie Mabutt and Charlie Catterall combined well shortly after to take the game deep into Hamilton’s 22, and although Gerry Hawkes did well to stop the attack, he conceded a scrum in the process.

Scrum-half Sean Richardson took ball right and fed brother Lee, and the full-back burst through the centre to go over for the opening try. Lee missed the conversion, but Darlington led 5-0 after as many minutes.

Hamilton showed great spirit to bounce straight back.

Matt Gray took good lineout ball, Dougie Smith rumbled through the middle of the defence, and David Gemmell and Gray made sure the ball came back onto the Hamilton side.

Nick Risden moved ball left to Owen McLeish, he kicked it over the defenders and Andy MacFie was stopped just short.

However, good support from Nickie Malley, Hawkes and Dodds saw ball recycled, with Risden passing right. Sheen made good ground in the centre but was stopped short of the line, winning a scrum in front of the posts.

Martin Tarditi’s strike won ball for Hamilton and Risden moved it right, where McLeish combined with Craig Inglis and Roddy Wallace, who went over in the corner.

Despite the angle McLeish’s conversion was on target for a 7-5 lead.

A conceded penalty provided Darlington’s Catterall with a chance to launch another kick into the Hamilton half, but Michael Stowe’s lineout was off the mark and Gemmell collected at the tail of the line, feeding quickly to Risden. The scrum-half burst through the Darlington line only to be stopped short, but Dodds was in support and forced his way over for try number two.

McLeish’s conversion kick was gain accurate, for a 14-5 lead.

Hamilton were more alert at the restart this time and Gray collected. Risden and Malley moved forward and McLeish kicked to the corner, forcing Lee Richardson to put the ball into touch.

Gray collected the lineout but the referee judged the throw-in wasn’t straight, and Darlington went for the scrum.

Sean Richardson broke up the wing with the ball but was stopped at the 10-metre line by Ross Inglis. Malley was caught offside and another Darlington penalty was thundered into the corner.

Hamilton disrupted the lineout but Darlington secured possession and Richardson fed to Catterall, who broke through to touch down.

Lee Richardson was on target with the conversion, reducing the deficit to 14-12.

Darlington were dominant in the early stages of the second half, but Hamilton defended well and even when Ross Oattes was sent to the sin-bin, the Bulls kept them out.

As the game moved into the final quarter Richard Leigh collapsed to the ground and was tended to, with the match brought to a premature end. Happily, news from Darlington suggests that the young player is fine, but there will be further tests.

At Laigh Bent Hamilton’s annual over-35s tournament took place, with Ayr side Millbrae taking the cup, beating Hillhead/Jordanhill 39-10 in the final.

The Plate was lifted by GHA after a 24-0 win over Hamilton, and Lenzie took home the Bowl, defeating Dalziel 27-7 in the final.