Devon Cricket Board - Cricketer dies after attending rugby club dinner

Cricketer dies after attending rugby club dinner

DEVON’S sporting community has been stunned by the sudden death of Duncan Christophers.
Duncan collapsed at Newton Abbot RFC’s dinner and dance on Saturday and later died.
The father of three, who was in his mid-40s, played rugby for Paignton, Brixham, Exeter and Newton Abbot.
Christophers was also a useful cricketer who played for Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Chagford and most recently Ipplepen.
Moments before he collapsed, Duncan had been dancing with wife Kathleen.
An Army parademic at the dinner as a guest treated Duncan at the scene.
An ambulance crew took Duncan to hospital in Torquay, where he was pronounced dead.
Phil Burford, Newton Abbot’s director of rugby, said the club had been stunned by Duncan’s death.
“He was a larger than life figure in many ways, who will be missed by all his friends,” said Burford.
Christophers captained Newton Abbot to their Devon Cup win in 2004.
Although he retired from senior rugby four years ago, Christophers was 2nd XV player manager at Newton Abbot.
The Christophers family are well known in Devon cricket as players. Dad Freddie was involved with Ashburton for many years. Brother Jeremy turned out for Ashburton, Devon, Abbotskerswell, Bovey, Torquay and latterly Chagford.

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