neck during a weekend game.

Ben Jewett was playing for the Mariners first team against Renegades when the accident happened. He was immediately taken to hospital where doctors operated on his neck.

Yesterday Mariners captain Paul Reed said Mr. Jewett, a chef at the Lobster Pot restaurant, was in "good spirits''.

"There have been a lot of calls for him, Ben is a very popular fellow,'' said Dr. Reed.

It is understood that Mr. Jewett's English parents are also making plans to come to Bermuda and see their son.

Mr. Jewett suffered a fractured as well as dislocated vertebrae in the neck during the game on Sunday.

He was the third rugby player to be injured over the weekend as two players in the Rugby Classic were also taken to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Reed, who was playing in the game, added: "There was no suggestion of any foul play. Ben made a tackle and a ruck formed. When the players got up Ben was lying on the ground.

"It was immediately apparent that something fairly sinister had happened by the way he was laid out on the pitch. Ben was motionless and in severe pain.

"I knew that something was wrong and it was obvious that we needed to do everything by the book -- keep him motionless and get a collar on him.'' After the injury, Dr. Reed said the game resumed but players had little enthusiasm for the rest of the match.

"Everyone is thinking of Ben and we have been getting lots of messages of encouragement,'' added Dr. Reed.

Last night Eddie Bardgett, the Lobster Pot manager, said he had visited Mr.

Jewett yesterday morning and said the 27-year-old was talking and in good spirits.

"He was joking around and telling me he would be back playing rugby in four weeks,'' said Mr. Bardgett, who said Mr. Jewett had feelings in the legs and arms.

"Everyone will miss Ben while he's in hospital, he's a very popular lad. He's a joker and he was joking with the nurses and is in good spirits.'' RUGBY RUG