BALL THROWN BACK FROM BOUNDARY KILLS UMPIRE; Tragedy on cricket field.

Byline: ALEX LLOYD

AN umpire has died after being hit on the head by a cricket ball.

Alcwyn Jenkins was officiating at St Helen's ground in Swansea on Saturday when the accident happened.

The 72-year-old grandad, from Skewen near Neath in South Wales, collapsed and was airlifted to hospital, but he died shortly afterwards.

Spectator Paul Llewellyn, 51, said: "It was a freak accident. The fielder threw the ball to the wicket - it happens dozens of times in a game."

The league match between Swansea and Llangennech was abandoned. Mr Jenkins' close friend Neil Hobbs, honorary chairman of the South Wales Cricket Association, said yesterday: "Alcwyn was a great guy and well respected. It's a very, very sad day."

The widower, who had umpired for 25 years, was "devoted" to the sport, according to fellow umpire Eddie Blake, 59.

Steve Davies, chairman of Swansea Cricket Club, added: "Just before the game Alcwyn turned to me and said, 'I just love playing games at St Helen's. It's a wonderful place to play cricket'."

South Wales police are not treating Mr Jenkins' death as suspicious. An inquest will open later this week.

CAPTION(S):

RESPECTED Alcwyn Jenkins FATAL Stray ball