West Leeds ARL second row Ricky Nugent started feeling unwell while playing in an under-17s rugby league game at Shaw Cross Sharks in Dewsbury on Sunday afternoon.

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The 16-year-old was substituted then spent a short time on the sidelines as an ambulance was called.

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Ricky, of Lower Wortley, was taken to Dewsbury and District Hospital.

He was later transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, where he lost his fight for life.

Members of his family had been keeping a vigil at the hospital.
The teenager's stepfather, Alistair Cameron, was too upset to speak at length when contacted by the Yorkshire Evening Post.

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He did, however, say there had been no indication his stepson might be about to fall ill, describing him as "one of the healthiest kids" he knew.

West Leeds under-17s coach Steve Allinson said everyone involved with the club was "devastated". He told the YEP: "Ricky was a very popular lad - no one could have a bad word to say about him."
Mr Allinson said Ricky had been part of the West Leeds ARL set-up for about five years.

He also said he had been led to believe that the brain haemorrhage was not linked to any specific incident in Sunday's game.

Tributes to Farnley Park High School student Ricky have been posted by his heartbroken pals on social networking website Facebook.
One, Alix (correct) Irwin, wrote: "My thoughts are with Ricky's family and friends at this hard time."

Sunday's match, which took place at Shaw Cross's Leeds Road base, was a Yorkshire Combination Youth League Premier Division fixture.
The competition is administered by the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA).