Dungog Warriors player Aaron Cottom has been cleared of any permanent damage after sustaining a neck injury in the final minutes of Saturday’s game against Swansea.
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Play was held up for 30 minutes while officials waited for an ambulance to arrive.
Cottom, who had been among Dungog’s best, was injured while attempting to score.
Dungog’s first aid attendants Dan Brekelmans and John Styles were straight out and ensured everything was done right in treating Cottom until the ambulance arrived.
“Thankfully Aaron is OK and after being checked out at the hospital returned home a few hours later,” a club spokesman end
After being regraded from B to C Grade during the week Dungog travelled to Swansea looking for their first win of the year but they were narrow 28-26 losers.
Although beaten Dungog turned in a wholehearted effort with with several players getting their first run on start for the year and with only three reserves on the day the Warriors were always going to do it tough.
Swansea got away to a flyer with a converted try from a midfield kick inside the first five minutes.
Inspirational lock forward Scott Robson was forced from the field around the same time with a lower leg injury but in a performance that typified the courage and commitment shown by the Warriors on the day returned to the field and played a leading role before finally being forced to retire midway through the second half.
Another try to Swansea had them out to a 10-nil lead before a cross field kick from Dungog hooker Aidan Brekelmans saw centre Chris Evans leap above the pack to register the Warriors first try.
Dungog once again could not get to their kick from the restart gifting Swansea field position and on the back of a penalty went over for a converted try and a 16-4 lead.
The game looked like it was slipping away from the Warriors with half-time approaching but a great ball from five/eight Harry Boorer following a scrum win saw Chris Evans score second when he raced 50m for a try next to the posts.
Trai Brekelmans missed with the conversion but made amends on the stroke of half-time scoring a great individual try which he converted to have the Warriors back in the game trailing by two.
Dungog started the second half like they finished the first full of running, but it was Swansea who crossed first after a simple missed tackle by Dungog had them going over for a converted try and extend their lead to eight.
Aidan Brekelmans looked like he had Dungog back on the board only to be ruled held up but his brother Trai made no mistake soon after when he picked up a wayward pass from Swansea to run 60m for a converted try.
Dungog were right back in the game but once again poor defence close to their line allowed Swansea to score and once again go out to an eight-point lead.
With the game heading inside the last 10 minutes fullback Cottom sustained his injury and play was halted for 30 minutes.
After the break in play Dungog found themselves with no reserves left, eight points down with eight minutes to play.
However, the Warriors refused to give in and when Boorer crossed for a converted try with four minutes left a miraculous win looked on the cards but time finally beat them.
Every Warriors player could leave the field with their heads held high because they all gave their best in a courageous effort from the whole team.
If Dungog turn up with that attitude and effort every week the wins will start to come sooner rather than later.
Swansea 28: 5 tries, 4 goals
Dungog 26: C Evans 2 T Brekelmans 2 H Boorer tries. T Brekelmans 3 goals
This Saturday, Dungog will be keen to get their first win of the year when they take on Abermain at Bennett Park with the game set down for a 2.15 kick off.
It should be a great days entertainment at the park with a host of juniors games on before the all age match begins so come along and support the Warriors both juniors and seniors.
