A rugby player who was seriously injured while scoring a try during a match has died in hospital, Evesham Rugby Club confirmed on Sunday.

Jack Jeffery was badly hurt in an accident on the pitch as he scored a try in a match against Berkswell & Balsall in the West Midlands on Saturday.

He was taken to hospital in Coventry, but “tragically lost his fight”, club chairman Dave Summerfield said in statement.

The 27-year-old’s father, Glenn Jeffery, said his “beautiful boy” had “died doing the thing that he loved the most”.

Writing on Facebook, Mr Jeffery thanked the many people who had contacted his family for “such kind thoughts and lovely words”.

“It is so clear to us that not only will Jack be missed by his close family but also by everyone that he knew and came into contact with,” he said.

“He was a very special soul and we are so proud to say he was our son.”

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‘A bright light’

Paying tribute to Jack Jeffery, Mr Summerfield said in a statement: “A more committed, loyal ‘clubman’ is hard to find.

“He would often return from London for training and was always at the heart of club activities.

“He served his club, his teammates and the county with distinction and provided much satisfaction to the club supporters in knowing exactly where the whitewash was,” said the chairman.

Mr Summerfield said the “club and community have lost such a bright light” and out of respect the club had closed for the day and flown a flag at half mast.

On behalf of everyone at the RFU, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Jack Jeffery who tragically died yesterday. The thoughts of everyone in the game are with @EveshamRFC, their players, members and the wider rugby community.https://t.co/t11btEPw6z

The Rugby Football Union expressed its “heartfelt sympathies” to Jack Jeffery’s family, writing on Twitter: “The thoughts of everyone in the game are with @EveshamRFC, their players, members and the wider rugby community.”

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