Borna Guevel produced a scintillating display as Oxford dominated their Cambridge counterparts in the 2008 Varsity kickboxing competition. The Super Middleweight from Ruislip mirrored the dominance and aggression displayed by the Blues squad as a whole, in a comprehensive 5-1 victory.

The Oxford team had already muscled into a 2-0 lead as Guevel entered Keble’s O’Reilly theatre with a partisan Oxford crowd echoing his every step with applause. The location, more familiar with Shakespeare and Hamlet than straight jabs and helmets, became akin to a gladiatorial amphitheatre as the majority of the crowd frantically chanted his name.  Amongst them were at least forty of his fellow Somervillians, whom Guevel acknowledged both pre and post fight with raised fists, in the manner of a Roman fighter.

The intense Guevel instantaneously launched into his opponent James Waddell; the Cambridge man was so taken aback that he fell twice within the opening ten seconds in an attempt to avoid two ferocious front kicks; the fierceness of the attacks was mimicked by the cheers of his fans.

He continued to pummel Waddell for the duration of the round, making it redundant to attempt an analysis of the contest; such was the swiftness and fury of the Oxfordian’s strikes. As the second round began, the crowd’s blood-thirsty screams were quenched when the man from the blue corner continued his domination, breaking Waddell’s nose. Guevel was docked two points for belligerently hammering away at his Cambridge adversary but this did nothing to halt his series of jabs, right-hand crosses and side kicks.

To his credit, Waddell bravely rallied in the final minute and a half, even sending Guevel onto the ground, although some would argue the contest had ended within the first ten seconds. Guevel celebrated with the same intensity he had shown during the previous three rounds as he was announced a close 30-29 victor: Waddell’s face told a different story, as the hungry competitor’s ravenous strikes left his face resembling a ketchup-stained platter.

The victorious Guevel spoke after the fight, stating “it was one of the best nights of my life; I trained so hard so it was good to beat Cambridge.” The ring should have been covered with sand as opposed to canvas, given the severity of Waddell’s beating.
“I hear I damaged his ribs with one of my right roundhouse kicks and obviously mashed his face with a lot of cross punches and hooks. His face was completely covered in blood so I think I did a good job”.

This appraisal was remonstrated vociferously on Sunday night by his mass of fans. He, along with fellow Somerville team-mate James Richardson, commanded a fantastic reception, one which the youngster won’t forget.

 “Thank you to everyone who was there for the awesome support I got; hearing everyone when I won was one of the best feelings in my life.”

If he continues his Varsity career the way he began, he should become very well acquainted with the emotions he felt on Sunday.

It’s midnight on a Wednesday night. Super Bonz? Sex on the Beat? Something a little more alternative? Apparently there’s a bit of a mad one going on at the Oxford Ice Rink. Midnight Ice Hockey. Whatever floats your boat.

But seriously, rumour has it that groups of around seventy or eighty ‘Alternatives’ (as they have come to be known) descend on Oxpens Road for a late night ‘pick-up’ session, as it is known in Canada. For such an outlandish idea, these clandestine meetings have been taking place ever since 1885, with a cuppers tournament that is almost into its twentieth year of competition.

Brutal body-checks and no holds barred dust-ups? Contrary to our perhaps ignorant impression of Ice Hockey that we get from the NHL, this is a more cordial affair. These guys are happy just to play for the love of the game, with meets not refereed and total disregard shown for keeping the score. A number of the current university Ice Hockey team began in this fashion as it is the ideal stepping stone to nurture both interest and possibly even talent.

Club president John Mellor claims to be ‘happy with the niche’ that the Alternatives have carved out for themselves, encouraging participation first and competitiveness second. The unusual playing conditions and environment add an extra level of allure apparently. Certainly some achievement for such a minority interest to attract over a hundred competitors at the recent cuppers tournament.

Although the group stages were taken with a pinch of salt, in keeping with the club’s unequivocal ethos, the action intensified to a fitting climax, after an extra-time golden goal victory in the semi-finals, with the Exeter ‘Spartans’ going on to claim the spoils. An observer is quoted as saying “I didn’t really know what to expect, as I haven’t seen a lot of Ice Hockey, but I stand corrected. I actually quite enjoyed it – I was really surprised by the level of interest and commitment.”

So maybe some serious consideration must be made over the relative benefits of a few alcopops and a kebab over a night of seemingly informal and yet unquestionably invigorating entertainment. Midnight Ice Hockey is staking its claim as Oxford’s definitive ‘Alternative’ sport.

If you wish to have your sport highlighted in ‘It’s Just Not Cricket’, email sport [at] cherwell.org

For a summer sport, cricket’s language and rhythms are largely dictated by rain.  Covers coming on, light drizzle, covers coming off and Rain Stopped Play are all parts of the cricketing discourse.  Never is this more true than during April, when the new season is born at a stutter, with days and matches broken up by rain.  Before the long, hot summer afternoons there are hours of play stolen in between sheltering under the pavillion or in the changing rooms.

Despite a perfect start to the season, when the whole set of fixtures were played under bright sunshine, college cricket was marred by weather in second week, much to the frustration of various colleges and players.  Most Cuppers games were played on Monday, except for the tie between St Johns and Lady Margaret Hall which had to be delayed until Tuesday.  After bowling out LMH for 170, St John’s run chase was stopped by rain.

Whilst there will be a replay, allegedly in the Twenty20 format, St John’s’ left arm spinner James Earle was left frustrated by the cancellation: “We don’t play in the college league and so Cuppers is our only chance to play competitive cricket.  Last season we were knocked out in the second round at Magdalen after a good win at Jesus.  This year we’re keen to do much better. We were bowling well under the drizzle before we came off and were delighted to skittle out LMH for an attainable target.” LMH captain Tom Wherry said it was annoying, particularly “as we were supposed to have two games this week, and considering we only have an eight week season.”

Wednesday’s weather was even worse than Tuesday’s; and the League matches suffered accordingly.  Early season pace-setters New College, so far living up to their favourites’ tag with consecutive league and cup wins over Balliol, were prevented from competing against Keble. 

New’s wicketkeeper-captain Alex Asher was frustrated at the possible impact on their title challenge:  “It was disappointing to have our match at Keble called off today,  particularly having won each of our first league and cuppers games  against Balliol. Unfortunately, there’s no chance to reschedule these league games, so each team has to share the 22 points. I doubt that any other games took place today, so with a bit of luck we won’t have lost any ground to other teams, and are looking forward to matches next week.”

In Division Two bitter rivals St. Catherine’s and Magdalen were prevented from playing, leaving captain Alex Canfor-Dumas hoping for an upturn in fortunes.  “We needed the chance to get some momentum after our disappointing loss in the opening game.  All we can do now is pray that the weather picks up before Friday, when we play Teddy Hall in Cuppers.  To go out of Cuppers on the toss of a coin or a game of darts would be absolutely gutting.”

LMH skipper Wherry acknowledges that, despite the irritation, it’s a central part of our cricket season, reflecting: “Then again it is Oxford and it is England so it is kind of expected!”

BBC Weather anticipates a continuation of light showers over the weekend and into the start of 3rd week.

A Howell century and dramatic Balliol collapse amidst thunder and lightning handed New a tense 36-run victory in this cuppers clash, and possibly saw the start of a long-lasting rivalry.

Following New’s league victory, the stage was set for a grudge match. Even the weather played its part: brooding grey skies, justifying Balliol’s decision to bowl. Clark capitalised, seaming his third ball back onto the off-stump to dismiss New captain Asher for a duck. Douglas followed this with a maiden. New faced immediate worry: two overs, no runs, one wicket. Corby was batting haphazardly and calmed no nerves, scoring runs off Clark’s third over by slicing over the slips and then nearly lofting to a fielder. Howell by contrast was unflustered, steering Douglas for a single down to third man, though a damp outfield hindered boundaries. Corby overcame this with a square cut, but a peal of thunder presaged both his being bowled by Clark and the first rain break.

Upon the resumption Tomlin attempted a single and was run out by keeper Trudgian. A chink appeared in Howell’s armour when he misjudged a chip and was lucky to avoid a fielder. This though was false hope for Balliol: Howell and Gangakumaran then accumulated, fazed only by two beamers from McLeod that earned him a warning. Penfold’s darting medium-pacers were introduced; the latter batsman pulled him for 6. Gangakumaran played cleverly; in Penfold’s next over he turned a full ball over the infield for 4 then, faced with an identical delivery, opted to cut it square instead for a single, unsettling Balliol’s field. Meanwhile, Howell fell into a rhythm, hitting fours in consecutive overs. Another rain break halted this and Alla and Poole’s spin slowed New, until Howell blasted another 6. Only in Alla’s 6th over, shortly after Howell reached his 50, did Balliol regain the initiative, Gangakumaran caught for 46, the score balanced at 122-4 off 33 overs.

New then exploded: the final 7 overs yielded 85 runs, mostly Howell’s: having batted through and survived two drops he was now seeing the ball gloriously. Clark’s return was greeted with three sixes, including one pulled over mid-wicket and out of the ground. He ended the over on 94; with one more ball the odds would surely have been on him reaching his century with another maximum. As it was, he had to wait for Clark’s next over to bring up a well-orchestrated and spectacular ton, and see New to a formidable 207-4.

Balliol never really took control of their chase. Bilyard started fluently with a boundary but was promptly caught off Keyworth, while Head fenced clumsily before being bowled by Bishop: 17-2. Williams and Poole carried the score along with several boundaries. Their only worry was a run out: the umpire gave it but Asher sportingly confessed to having broken the stumps with his hands. New were in danger, conceding runs with Keyworth bowled out, until these fell: Balliol 94-4 off 26 overs. They gradually slipped further behind the required rate; with pressure mounting both teams began to make mistakes. Soutphommasane (32) and Trudgian (21), scoring slowly, spooned catches off the same Tomlin over, Alla was dropped by Dungate, New gave away several overthrows, and Asher couldn’t quite cling on to an edge from Alla, who was then snaffled at point.

With 3 overs and 3 wickets remaining Balliol needed 10 an over. Sutton though had other ideas: his pace in his 5th over increased noticeably. McLeod was bowled, Clark run out controversially, and Penfold misjudged a frantic swipe to be bowled: Balliol 171 all out. They finished well short, but a fluctuating game had ratcheted up the tension and the end, when it came, was dramatically sudden.