A MEMORIAL match looks likely to be played between Droitwich Spa RFC Third XV and Bloxwich RFC in honour of a referee.

Tony McDonald, aged 51, collapsed and died while officiating Spa's Thirds match at Bloxwich Firsts on Saturday, September 18. The match was abandoned.

Mr McDonald became unwell during the game and later died despite the efforts of Bloxwich captain Kevin Pitt and Spa's Sascha Hobbs to resuscitate him.

A one-minute silence was held before Spa's Thirds game at Hereford last Saturday.

Thirds captain Peter Gurr said: "He (Sascha) and the opposition captain were a good 15 minutes trying to keep him alive waiting for the ambulance to come.

"A memorial match is something the club will look at doing after the funeral is over. We will look to do that and raise some money to pas on to the family."

Droitwich Spa RFC chairman Robert Bray added: "I will be writing to Tony's widow expressing the club's deep sadness.

"A special recognition goes to Sascha Hobbs for all the effort he put in."

Twelve Spa players have been selected for Worcestershire's U16s squad for this week's North Midlands Championship.