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SPORT
MARCH 9 2012 — WEEK 8
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Hockey Blues women beat Birmingham to win the league.
Blues go down fighting
Double Delight for Hare & Hounds
JAMIEGUNDRY.COM
UNIVERSITY Cambridge University Hare and Hounds excelled in the 2012 Hyde Park Relays last Saturday taking victory in both the ladies’ and men’s races. The ladies’ event consisted of 4 x 3.5 km around the Serpentine, while the men battled their way through 6 x 5.2 km. After a solid first leg from Joanna Mobed, Polly Keen took the team into the lead and strong runs from Rose Penfold and Alice Duncan carried the Light Blue Ladies to victory. In the mens’ event, following impressive legs from Alex Young, Ben Davis, Sam Ashcroft and Tom Watkins, Cambrdge were in a strong position. Will Mackay kicked off on the penultimate leg and after handing over to Will Ryle-Hodges, Cambridge overtook nearest rivals UEA, with RyleHodges running the team’s quickest leg and bringing the Cambridge men home triumphant.
Kickboxing seal Varsity victory
Cambridge Captain Aron Schleider met his Oxford counterpart in a bloody encounter that brought the crowd to their feet
CAMBRIDGE OXFORD
3 6
by Chris Perry
‘Chris Webb delivered a boxing master class, throwing fast and accurate combinations against Simon Lack’ of courage which brought the crowd to its feet. The third round could have seen either boxer stopped, as the two traded enormous blows. The final bell left both bloodied, and brought a standing ovation in recognition of an outstanding performance. Harriman’s earlier technical edge secured a points victory, but the
Cambridge welterweight has everything to be proud of. Light-middleweight Sebastian Pender successfully used his excellent lead hand and footwork to frustrate his opponent, controlling the pace of the fight. Bussman was frequently caught out by Pender’s uppercuts and lead hooks. A desperate effort in the third saw the Dark Blue connect some punches, but Pender reacted well and used his reach and skill to keep his opponent at bay. An appalling decision saw a majority given to Bussman. With Oxford heading for a whitewash, Borna Guevel stepped up for Cambridge, dominating his contest with Tommy Williams in a powerful display of controlled aggression. Using excellent movement, the Cambridge middleweight landed hard shots to the head and body of his opponent. The faster Guevel stopped his opponent for good in the second round, delivering a much needed win for Cambridge. Chris Webb delivered a boxing master class, throwing fast and accurate combinations against Simon Lack. Demonstrating slick defence, Webb stayed away from Lack’s wild shots while landing his own stinging blows, and nearly stopped him in the third round with a sharp right hand. Webb took a unanimous victory for Cambridge, and his fourth consecutive win against Oxford. Chris Kelly faced returning Dark Blue Ben Morris in a hard fought rematch. Kelly threw fast and tight combinations,
tying up Morris in the first round. A scrappy bout saw both fighters struggling to land clean blows. However, while Morris landed fewer shots, his power in later rounds won him the decision. Heavyweight Chris Meurice took on returning Dark Blue Andrei Akhlediani in an explosive final bout. Both box-
‘A hard night for Cambridge, but one that saw some inspiring displays of courage’ ers were quick on their feet, but Meurice had a clear edge and exploited it to great effect, landing crisp and powerful straight punches. Shaken by his opponent’s power, the Dark Blue heavyweight tired quickly. In the final round Akhlediani was charging desperately after Meurice, who boxed superbly on his back foot. The majority decision for Cambridge did not quite do justice to a stylish performance, but the victory was a welcome end to the night. A hard night for Cambridge, but one that saw some inspiring displays of courage and skill. The Cambridge team looked strong after a very successful training season organised by Head Coach Lee Mitchell, and were unfortunate to lose out in this year’s Varsity Match.
Blues lose to La Castagnet
UNIVERSITY In horrendous playing conditions at Grange Road, CURFC sucumbed to a 13-0 loss to touring Argentinian side La Castagnet The conditions ensured a particularly scrappy match, with slips, knockons and turnovers from both sides aplenty. However, the two teams must be given credit for repeatedly spurning the chance to kickthree points in the hunt for tries. With the scores deadlocked after a relatively uninspiring fifteen minutes, La Castagnet made the breakthrough, scoring an unconverted try through a typically Argentinean catch and drive. The second half saw a penalty and another unconverted try put the Argentinian side out of sight of the Blues. Given the awful playing conditions, it was a rather unsatisfactory, if not hard-working, end to the Blues’ season. 0803_231634
On a tough night for Cambridge, the Dark Blues stormed to an early victory, developing an unassailable 5-0 lead before Cambridge hit back with some impressive wins. The atmosphere was electrifying as the 105th Varsity Boxing Match got underway. First into the ring was Cambridge captain John Lacy. Lacy looked technically better, landing straight punch combinations, but was soon tired by the more energetic Michael Davis. The second saw Davis take the upper hand and land some heavy blows. By the end, the Cambridge boxer was exhausted and retreating. Lacy survived a second standing count to make it to the bell, with the unanimous decision going to Oxford. Nick Melgaard surprised his opponent with hand speed and footwork. Moving smoothly around the ring, the Cambridge boxer landed crisp jabs, controlling the pace of the fight. A frustrated and outclassed James Watson came out hard in the third, and a lucky right hand sent Melgaard to the canvas and stopped the contest. A furious light-welterweight bout saw Guy Sucharitakul battle Tom Eliasz. Both fighters went all out from the bell, trading shots hard and fast. The Cambridge fighter quickly began to tire, and
a huge combination from Eliasz in the second round led to a standing count which ended the bout, despite the Cambridge boxer’s eagerness to continue. Stepping into the ring to face the Oxford Captain was Aron Schleider. The Oxford southpaw began the fight confidently, landing good shots and rocking Schleider with his straight left hand. However Schleider stayed on the offensive, hounding Oliver Harriman with fearsome combinations. An intense second round saw Schleider relentlessly pursuing the Oxford captain, and despite landing some good punches, the Dark Blue captain was fatigued by Schleider’s ferocious onslaught. Both fighters battled exhaustion in a display
UNIVERSITY Cambridge University Kickboxing Society reigned supreme in front of home support at the Varsity Kickboxing event at Manor Community College. While CUKBS may delight in their deserved victory, the 5-4 result reflected a contest that turned out to be much closer than it may have needed to be. Strong performances from Cenan Djenan and Daphne Tsalli in the opening rounds gave Cambridge an early advantage, but the Dark Blues regrouped to bring the scores level at 4-4 going into the last round. . CUKBS’ Alex Elliot put in brave performance in what was an extremely competitive match, with heavy hitting, stylish technical boxing, blood, injuries and controversy. In the end his opponent was forced to retire with a dislocated shoulder, handing Cambridge a 5-4 victory overall.