OXFORD'S ice hockey team, The Fox Blades, look to have played their final games after managing to fulfill their weekend fixtures, but without finding any white knight to come to their rescue.

The club, whose directors said they would fold unless they got a £20,000 injection of cash from somewhere, were beaten 9-6 at Romford on Saturday and then 4-3 at home to a strong Isle of Wight team at Oxford Ice Rink yesterday.

Spokesman Colin Kirby said: "So far as I am aware, nobody has come forward with the money the club needs."

Director Deborah Pope had been clinging to hope that the club, who have been struggling to meet running costs, could hold out for as long as possible and admitted that the weekend was crucial. "The league have been very supportive and want us to keep it going as long as humanly possible," she said.

"We are keen to give everyone the chance to respond and hopefully come up with a rescue package."

New coach Richie Howe, who has been at Oxford for only three weeks, said: "It will be a shame if the club has to split, as there is a good squad of players here. They now have a great attitude, are starting to play well and I was looking forward to the rest of the season."

Story date: Monday 18 October

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