MINETY flanker Lee Patterson is said to be considering legal action after being punched unconscious during a game with Trowbridge on Saturday.

Ref David Wickes abandoned the Dorset & Wilts One North game after 35 minutes with Minety leading 14-7 because he said he could not guarantee the players’ safety.

Patterson, 22, was knocked out and taken to Great Western Hospital in Swindon suffering from the effects of the blow, which left him with a gash on the side of his head.

Minety coach Huw Jones said the player is considering legal action. “We have plenty of witnesses who saw what happened and if he decides to take further action then we will support him,” he said.

Wilts & Dorset general secretary Nick Dark said: “The experienced disciplinary panel of Dorset and Wilts RFU would have jurisdiction to deal with this sort of incident upon receiving the referee’s report.

“The panel would convene a hearing to establish the facts by hearing evidence from the players and officials and to make a finding. The range of sanctions available to the panel could include fines, suspensions or deduction of league points.”

Trowbridge administration manager Chris Lamb said the club is investigating.

“It would be inappropriate to say anything else at this stage but we are looking into what happened,” he said.