In a statement released on social media on Saturday night Central West Rugby Union confirmed it has begun a formal investigation into an incident in Saturday's Blowes Clothing Cup round six game between the Orange City Lions and Cowra Eagles, one which led to the game being prematurely called off.
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The Eagles were leading the contest 31-15 in the second half when Lions captain Josh Tremain - celebrating his 200th top grade appearance for the club - was allegedly punched in the head by a Cowra player and collapsed to the ground.
The referee, Mitch Dwyer, stopped the game before abandoning it altogether as police and NSW Ambulance personnel were called on to the Cowra Rugby Ground playing surface.
"As per media reports ... the Central West Rugby Union has been made aware of an alleged incident in the Cowra versus Orange City first grade match played [on Saturday] in Cowra that left an Orange City player requiring ambulance attention," the statement said.
"A formal investigation has commenced and we ask that the Central West community exercise patience and refrain from speculation. At this stage of the investigation Central West Rugby Union will be making no further comment."
The statement also said "the player was taken to hospital and Orange City Rugby Club has reported the player is fine and is undergoing cautionary examinations".
Orange City Rugby Club released its own statement updating Tremain's condition on Sunday morning, which confirmed he had been released from hospital and those scans had come back clear.
However it also confirmed the former NSW Country hooker has been ruled out for the remainder of the Blowes Clothing Cup season as a result of the incident.
"[Tremain] has been released from hospital [on Sunday morning] with all scans clear and no brain bleeds. He has been ruled out for the rest of the season," the statement said.
While Tremain's absence will obviously be a huge blow to Orange City's season Central West will also miss the front-rower, he was expected to be named in the Blue Bulls' squad for this year's NSW Country Rugby Union Championship.
The result of the round six clash remains unconfirmed.
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