Mariners was seriously hurt during a Second XV encounter on Saturday afternoon at National Sports Club.

Beek -- playing in his first season for Mariners -- was injured after a scrum collapsed on top of him during second-half action against Teachers with approximately ten minutes remaining in the game.

He immediately stood up after the heap of players were cleared when he collapsed again.

The Canadian -- normally in the second row but playing at prop -- was carried off the field on a stretcher and taken to the emergency ward at King Edward Memorial Hospital, where it was first diagnosed that he had suffered torn ligaments in his neck.

Beek was eventually released from hospital, but when doctors re-examined x-rays yesterday, it was determined that the rugby player had actually fractured the second vertebrae of his neck.

He is expected to undergo surgery today when a "halo'' will be placed around his head and neck to minimise movement so the injury can properly heal. He will wear the brace for up to six weeks.

"When he got up we were relieved,'' said Mariners Second XV captain Terry Madeiros yesterday. "He said that he had broken it and he was complaining of numbness so we told him to stay down.'' The game -- won 10-6 by Teachers -- continued after Beek was moved to the side of the field.

Many of his team-mates were unaware yesterday that Beek had been re-admitted to hospital.

"He was screaming for an ambulance after the injury occurred,'' said Mariners First XV captain Dave Conway last night. "But he didn't look that bad, and later on Saturday he said he had just damaged some ligaments in his neck.'' Said Madeiros: "Apparently he was lucky the injury didn't shift to the third vertebrae, he could have been paralysed.'' Officials at the hospital last night said Beek was in satisfactory condition.

Beek becomes the second Mariner player to suffer a significant injury recently. Two weeks ago Andy Bibby broke his collarbone during a game against Police.

The Bermuda squad facing USA Eagles in the World Cup qualifier on March 12 has been chosen with 13 forwards and 11 backs getting the nod.

Half the line-up comes from Teachers while four players each were plucked from Renegades, Mariners and Police.

Representing Teachers are David Cooke, Billy MacNiven, Ashley Redmond, Patrick Cooper, Richard Raistrick, Terry Walsh, Andrew Correia, Scott Correia, Heath (Butch) Robinson, Michael Montgomery, Andre Simons, and Alvin Harvey.

From Renegades are Danny Forsythe, Alistair Nicholl, Phil Heaney and Sean Kelly.

Neil Alexander, Jonah Jones, Dave Conway and Keith Beattie were named from Mariners.

From Police are Grant Tompkins, Danny Cozens, Sean Field and Gareth Davies.