Snooker Steve Davis conceded that he may have played his last match at the Crucible after losing 10-2 to Neil Robertson in the first round of the Betfred.com World Championship yesterday. Davis, world champion six times in the Eighties, must qualify for the event next year and, aged 51, appreciates that a return is not guaranteed.

Robertson, the Australian No 1, potted superbly en route to the last 16. He now plays Ali Carter, the runner-up last year, while Shaun Murphy, who beat Andrew Higginson 10-8, faces Marco Fu, of Hong Kong.

Gloucester suffering

Rugby union Gloucester have received a further blow with the citing of Olivier Azam. The hooker will face a disciplinary panel on Monday for allegedly making contact with Jamie Roberts’s eye area during the EDF Energy Cup final defeat by Cardiff Blues last weekend. They then lost to Worcester Warriors on Tuesday to leave their Guinness Premiership play-offs hopes hanging by a thread.

Key given captaincy

Cricket Robert Key will captain the England Lions in their four-day match against the West Indians in Derby, which starts a week today. The XI includes Ian Bell, who has scored hundreds in his past two Warwickshire matches, and three others with Test experience — Tim Ambrose, Sajid Mahmood and Liam Plunkett.

Refrigerator ailing

American football William “The Refrigerator” Perry, the former Chicago Bears defensive lineman, is in a serious condition at a South Carolina hospital yesterday. The 46-year-old was admitted to hospital to deal with complications from Guillain-Barré syndrome, a chronic inflammation disorder of the peripheral nerves.

Winter calls it quits

Rugby union The door at Newcastle Falcons continues to revolve with the retirement of Russell Winter, the flanker and former South Africa A captain, and arrival of Filipo Levi, the Samoa captain who also plays in the back row. This follows the signing of Josh Afu, a Tonga flanker, and the impending move of Tom May to France.

Explore More Sport

• Athletics

• Boxing

• Cycling

• Sailing

• US Sport