Ice Hockey: Devils' own job for the champions

CARDIFF DEVILS could be excused for wanting another weekend to recover after returning from the rigours of Riga, where they went out of the European Championship, to the British League Premier Division on Saturday. The champions beat Fife Flyers 7-6, but were then defeated 10-6 the following day by Humberside Seahawks.

Devils were 4-0 up against Fife after 10 minutes and 6-2 ahead at the end of the second period. Against the Seahawks, though, the score was 5-5 going into the third period and some blistering play saw the home side score five goals to one.

Peterborough Pirates, ousted from their rink, offered free transport to their fans for the game against Murrayfield Racers at Milton Keynes. They were rewarded with their best 'home' crowd of the season, 900, but not their best result, losing 9-2 to the Scots.

Fife made amends for their Cardiff reversal thanks to Doug Smail, who scored with 90 seconds left on the clock for a 6-5 win against Whitley Warriors.

In the First Division, the points were decided considerably closer to the final hooter. Lee Valley Lions led Swindon Wildcats 7-1 at the end of the first period. But by the time Swindon pulled their minder with 30 seconds to go, the score was 11-9 and it was a relieved Lions who scraped in 11-10.

Wayne Crawford, of Telford Tigers, denied Oxford City Stars their first win when levelling the scores with 32 seconds remaining. Mike Bettens, of Paisley Pirates, cut it even finer. There were eight seconds to go before he earned his side a point against Blackburn Blackhawks.

Results, Sporting Digest,

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