Ice Hockey: Wasps on the slide

THE 1992 Heineken League champions, Durham Wasps, sank to the bottom of the Premier Division after losing both their weekend matches while Peterborough Pirates moved above them by beating Humberside Seahawks

9-3, writes Steve Pinder.

However Pirates' success, and indeed the League programme, was overshadowed by the death of the referee, Micky Kurry, who was killed in a road accident as he returned from officiating the game at Peterborough on Sunday.

Widely regarded as one of the country's top referees, Kurry, 37, was among the handful of British officials considered competent enough for international duty overseas.

A referee never afraid to make what he thought was the right decision in front of hostile home crowds, he earned respect for his consistency and for allowing the game to flow where others would have whistled for minor infringements. There cannot be good British ice hockey without good referees, and he will be sorely missed.

Cardiff Devils played their first home match since winning the League and celebrated with a 12-5 win over Billingham Bombers on Sunday before receiving the Heineken Premier Division Trophy, which was handed over for the last time, the company having withdrawn its sponsorship from the competition.