A 51-YEAR-OLD man collapsed and died on Boxing Day within a minute of running onto a sports field for a game of rugby. Robert Harrison, known as Rab, was taking part in the traditional single men versus married men friendly game, organised by Snowdown Rugby Club, near Deal, when the tragedy happened at Aylesham.

First-aiders tried to revive him. He was taken to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital but was certified dead on arrival. He is thought to have suffered a heart or asthma attack.

Mr Harrison, a married man with two children, grew up and spent most of his life in Aylesham before moving to the Alkham Valley area about two years ago. His mother, Christine, still lives in Aylesham.

Rugby club vice-president Colin Owen said: "It was a big shock because Rab was very well known and a stalwart of the club who would always turn out for a game. He had been playing since he was about 15 and was pretty fit for his age. But the paramedics reckoned they could not have saved him even if they were parked on the touchline."