DEAN Ball admits he will not play rugby again after snapping his left achilles tendon.

Bromsgrove RFC First XV's player/coach (pictured) pulled up unchallenged just short of scoring a try in his side's 24-18 Midlands Two (West) victory at Stoke last Saturday.

He was taken to hospital and faces at least six weeks in plaster but not an operation.

Ironically, Ball had only named himself as hooker in the team at the 11th hour after Carl Bradley fell in a skip in a work accident 24 hours earlier.

Ball said: "I don't think I shall play again. I can't really afford to put myself in this predicament again, that's the end.

"It could have happened at any time. I have struggled with sore achilles for years, my wife said it's just been a time-bomb waiting to go.

"At the time I thought I had been kicked in the heel but before I hit the ground I knew what had happened."

The injury brings an untimely end to the 32-year-old's playing career, which started 17 years ago, and has seen him enjoy professional spells with Worcester and Moseley.

Ball's injury came on the same day England lifted the World Cup. He joked: "It was a good day for rugby. England won the World Cup and they got rid of me from playing!"