National Sports Club, has begun a court battle for compensation.

Mrs. Carol Morris is suing the club in Supreme Court, saying it failed to make its grounds safe the evening 49-year-old Mr. Morris plunged from a 16 foot wall.

On June 4, 1987, Mr. Morris went to the club with his son, Brian, to watch him take part in cricket practice.

He went to the Devonshire ground to select two players to join a team for an upcoming tournament, and was due to announce their names that night.

But he fell from the balcony wall, landing on his head, and after two days' intensive treatment in hospital was declared brain dead.

A year later an inquest ruled his death was accidental, and recommended the club put a fence around the wall.

Yesterday the court heard from Mr. Windell Greaves, of White Hill, Sandys, who worked with Mr. Morris as an insurance agent with Kitson and Co. in Hamilton.

He told how before going home that day, they went to Casey's lounge, Queen Street, as usual. Mr. Morris, whose brother Douglas was celebrating his birthday, had two beers.

Mr. Greaves said his co-worker had seemed quite subdued that afternoon. "Mr.

Morris and myself became very close,'' he said. "Those last hours stayed with me.'' Earlier, Mrs. Morris testified that when her husband came home before setting out for Nationals, he did not appear to have drunk any alcohol.

Mr. Morris, who lived at Sayle Road, Smith's Parish, represented Bermuda in darts tournaments with the NSC number one team. He also played cricket for the club about 20 years before his death.

Mrs. Morris' claim for damages alleges negligence, which the NSC denies. The court hearing is before Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ground, who will rule on the question of whether or not the club was liable.

Mr. David Kessaram represents Mrs. Morris, and Mr. Trevor Moniz acts for the NSC.