WEDDING guests witnessed a Cossack catastrophe when Boney M wannabe Matt Graham broke a leg dancing to the band's famous Ra Ra Rasputin song.

The PE teacher is now in plaster for eight weeks after fracturing his fibula while going down a storm during the hit record at his friend's wedding reception at York racecourse.

"It's my party trick," said the 27-year-old, from Malvern Avenue, off Boroughbridge Road, York.

"Everyone formed a circle to clap while I danced - my girlfriend was loving it.

"After a while I felt something go in my leg but had no idea it was broken.

"I limped off the dancefloor and went to casualty the next morning because I was in agony.

"I'm absolutely gutted, but I guess I can see the funny side."

Matt, a former Pickering Town football player, was inspired to learn the Russian dance after watching it being performed during a 70s theme night.

"I got a copy of the song and learned the dance in my bedroom," he told the Evening Press.

"It's quite hard to do - the doctor said I must have put too much pressure on my leg.

"I should have known something would happen. Last time I danced to it at a friend's wedding I ripped the back of my new trousers!"

Matt's girlfriend, Felicity Gorwood, 22, said: "I can't believe he broke it - I made him run downstairs to catch our taxi.

"The dance always went down a storm - we'll really miss it!"

Matt, who teaches in Doncaster, has vowed to never perform it again.

"I'll have to learn something less energetic," he added, "like Agadoo or the Birdy Song."

Updated: 11:31 Wednesday, April 17, 2002