Ice Hockey: Nemeth hits form

Sheffield Steelers showed their eagerness for the British League Premier Division title with weekend defeats of both the current leaders, Basingstoke Beavers, and last year's champions, Cardiff Devils.

In winning 8-4 over Beavers, Sheffield were able to count Steve Nemeth among their ranks, back to replace the sacked Paul Jackson. Nemeth had a quiet game, having stepped off a plane from the States at midday, but he obviously slept well.

The next day, he returned to the Arena to a hero's welcome and opened the scoring after 18 minutes to equalise Devils' opener. Tommy Plommer wrapped up the 5-3 win with the insurance goal with just 16 seconds to go.

Rocky Saganiuk, the Durham Wasps coach, decided to show his side exactly how it is done. Strapping on his skates, he started against Milton Keynes Kings and was instrumental in the two minutes that turned the game for an 11-3 victory. The following day, against Edinburgh Racers, they repeated the scoreline in a match which saw Racers' Paul Hand dismissed after 17 minutes for 'excessive roughing'.

BRITISH LEAGUE Premier Division (Sunday): Durham 11 Edinburgh 3; Basingstoke 7 Peterborough 5; Humberside 4 Nottingham 11; Sheffield 5 Cardiff 3; Whitley 11 Bracknell 6. First Division (Sunday): Dumfries 9 Slough 10; Guildford 16 Chelmsford 1; Lee Valley 5 Blackburn 13; Paisley 8 Solihull 8; Teesside 14 Medway 4; Trafford 15 Romford 3.