Shaken star left with a thumping headache

CHRIS LAMB returned to work yesterday after spending a worrying couple of hours at the PEH on Wednesday night following an alleged assault by an opposing player during a basketball league match. The reported incident happened midway through the third quarter of the Yorkshire Guernsey Division Two league match between the 47-year-old former island star's Richmond side and Manzur at Beau Sejour.

Witnesses say that Neal Bewey had knocked over Lamb while going for a basket and was fouled for charging.

When Lamb got back up and approached Bewey to remonstrate, the Manzur player-coach allegedly headbutted him.

Police, who were called, took Bewey, who is also a league referee, to the police station for questioning while Lamb returned to the match for the last 10 minutes.

But after the final quarter, Lamb collapsed and was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital.

The Richmond star, who said he was going to give a statement to the police, felt he had no option other than to make a complaint

'When I got home I thought this sort of thing shouldn't happen in any sport.

'It was unprovoked and came out of the blue,' he alleged.

Lamb still had a severe headache yesterday.

'I'm not too bad, about 80-85%.

'I'm a little bit out of it but I am back at work. My head is thumping like mad.

'I was a little bit of a fool to go back on. I sat down after the game and I put my head between my knees and when I stood up to get a drink I collapsed.

'I was dehydrated or concussed or whatever, but it was unlike me, I never collapse. They checked me right through at the hospital.

'I've got a game next week. I'll be there, that's me.'

Lamb has spent 33 years involved in basketball on the island after he took the sport up as a 14-year-old.

He has had a number roles in the local game including the presidency of the Guernsey Basketball Association and has been the island captain.

After all his years connected with basketball on Guernsey, he feels that the general behaviour is declining.

'I've seen some things go on in games, but it never used to be how it is today,' he said.

'People seem to have more aggression these days.'

The GBA has tried to clamp down on bad behaviour and language during league matches after apparently receiving complaints last year from spectators on the Beau Sejour balcony.

In response referees have been encouraged to take a zero tolerance approach.

But GBA president Pat Ogier declined to comment on the Lamb incident.

Bewey also declined to comment when contacted, stating that the GBA would shortly be issuing a statement.

Police said this morning that Bewey had not yet been charged with any offence.