Koro Niubalavu, a Fijian soldier currently based at Catterick, was playing his first game for the Darlington side and came on towards the end of the game. Lambert stepped round him and looked to be on his way when Niubalavu tackled him head high. West allege that his fists were also clenched, and will call on the video evidence of referee assessor Dave Aldridge who was on a balcony very close to the incident.
Lambert, who has already scored and showed his pace on several occasions, was left dazed and bleeding by the tackle and was taken straight to the surgery by his father who is a dentist. Fortunately, he has made a speedy recovery.
Referee Steve Havery spoke to Niubalavu but took no further action. However, he was alerted to the video evidence by fellow referee Paul Candlish who had just finished refereeing a second team game and by Aldridge himself.