Chambers' RL baptism ends in injury

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The controversial athlete finally got to experience his first taste of rugby but left a 3,244 crowd under-whelmed by his performance for Castleford in a specially-arranged reserve friendly against York.

The Super League club won the match 30-16 against their National League Two visitors but Chambers did not receive a meaningful pass and made only a token contribution to the event, which brought to an anti-climactic end his month-long unpaid trial at the club.

He played for a total of 39 minutes, divided into four separate spells and made five carries - all of them from scrums - and two tackles while, on the downside, came up with three missed tackles and two knock-ons and was also forced to carry the ball over his own line to concede a drop-out.

His final appearance - as full-back after being switched from the wing - ended in agony as he hurt his right shoulder attempting unsuccessfully to prevent forward Mark Applegarth scoring York's third try, although he tried to put on a brave face.

"It was great fun, although I'll never play full-back again," he told the crowd. "I'll definitely be back and I appreciate people coming down to support me."

Each appearance was greeted with cheers from the curious onlookers but, by the end, the applause was more in sympathy than encouragement, with Chambers clearly lacking the stamina and fitness to play for any length of time.

Yet the 30-year-old Chambers lacked nothing in bravery. Up to a month ago the London sprinter was blissfully ignorant of the rules and had to be told how many players made up a team.

Terry Matterson, head coach of Super League's basement club, caught an early flight back from France in order to be there for kick-off and assess the potential of the disgraced sprinter.

On this evidence, he is unlikely to pursue his interest, although by taking to the field, Chambers surpassed the expectations of many cynical observers and his presence helped generate an attendance more than 10 times the normal turn-out for a reserve game.