A veteran rugby player died from a head injury after being tackled at the end of a memorial match, an inquest heard.

Father-of-three John Lord, 64, of Foreland Avenue, Folkestone, was seriously injured while playing for Folkestone Fossils against Dover Veterans at the Newington ground on September 15 last year.

The memorial match was being held in memory of former Stones player Joe Edwards, who died during a game in 2003.

Referee Michael Jones, speaking at the hearing in Folkestone, said: “It was the last touch of the match.

"There had been a scrum towards the centre of the pitch, Folkestone won the ball and the ball was passed and eventually reached John in a position on the wing.

“He was running forward with the ball when he was tackled.

“The ball was lost forward. It came out of his grip and went forward. I checked my watch at that stage, realising the time was up and blew my whistle to end the game.”

Mr Jones said the match had been played in a friendly spirit and there was nothing remarkable about the tackle, which was no different from any other in the match.

Moments later, while retrieving a linesman’s flag, Mr Jones noticed that Mr Lord had not got back up and other players had gone to his aid.

As he approached he saw Mr Lord was still unconsciousness and a number of people had gone to his aid, including the 1st XV physiotherapist and several players.

"I can see no evidence that this was anything other than a tragic accident" - deputy coroner Christine Freedman

Vets player Simon Petts, a trained firefighter with first aid training, and paramedic Mike Gardner, who had been playing for the 1st XV on the neighbouring pitch, administered CPR until an air ambulance arrived.

Mr Lord was later flown to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, a major trauma centre, but he died the next day.

Pathologist Dr Joanne Chin-Aleon found that he had suffered a brain haemorrhage and gave the cause of death as a head injury.

The inquest heard Mr Lord had played rugby throughout his adult life and had no health issues other than being advised to lose some weight by his doctor.

Deputy coroner Christine Freedman said: “John Lord was a fit, healthy 64-year-old man who had always enjoyed playing rugby and continued to do so.

“I’ve heard no suggestion that this was anything other than a proper tackle in the course of the game of rugby and I can see no evidence that this was anything other than a tragic accident.

“When you play sport you always know there’s a risk of some injury. It’s so sad what has transpired in this case.”

She recorded a verdict of accidental death.