Superb show as local boxers shine

 

Venue: Letterston Village Hall
Referees: Steve Glover & Mark Smith
Other Officials: Billy Jones; John Wheatley; Jenny Baker; Mark McCormack
Medical Officer: Dr Saish Mummide
MC: Bill Carne
 
Merlins Bridge Amateur Boxing Club held their annual boxing show at the village hall in Letterston and although the Wales v France rugby match on at the same time inevitably reduced the crowd a little it certainly didn’t affect the atmosphere as a vociferous crowd cheered on local boxers in a series of wins in electrically-charged bouts.

 
Leading the way was the schoolboy bout between Lewis Barrows Merlins Bridge ABC) and Callum Copp (Premier ABC, Swansea), a very experienced and pugnacious boxer who tried to apply pressure on the younger of the boxing Barrows brothers and did well at the start.

But Lewis Barrows is a bonny battler and although fortunes still ebbed and flowed his boxing skills and unflurried manner saw the local boy achieve a deserved unanimous decision – and there was further recognition for the pair as the officials later awarded them the ‘Best Bout of the Evening’ trophies!
 

 
Lewis was followed into the ring by his older brother Cameron, who took on an experienced campaigner in David McDonagh (St Joseph’s ABC, Newport) and started off like a whirlwind as he threw punches from all angles.

McDonagh responded well and seemed to get stronger in the second round – but this thrilling youth encounter ended with Cameron Barrows getting back on top and emulating his brother with a unanimous points’ decision as reward for his commitment and high skill levels.
 

 
The evening had started really well for the host club as schoolboy Harry Laverick made his ring debut against Macsin James (Prizefighter ABC) and came away with an excellent unanimous points’ over a slightly more experienced boxer.

Laverick understandably took a little time to settle but once he gained a little confidence he boxed really well, with some good straight left jabs - and was a worthy winner!
 

 
He was followed by Alex O’Sullivan, who showed why he is so highly regarded in an enthralling schoolboy contest with Lewis Bagley (Premier ABC, Swansea) who sought control early on with his powerful punching.
But O’Sullivan stayed cool, boxed well on the retreat to start but really showed his attacking flair in the final round and was victorious by a unanimous decision of the judges as reward for his high skill levels.
 

 
Thomas Bradford then gave Merlins Bridge ABC a 100% success rate in the first half as he showed real promise against Omar Ali (Trostre ABC, Llanelli), and after only three previous bouts was another successful home boxer.

Bradford jabbed well and made sure that Ali was kept at bay – and was well on top in the final stages and fully deserved a split-decision result which some pundits felt should have been more clear cut.
 

 
During the interval the crowd were treated to an entertaining exhibition bout between Kyle O’Sullivan, the latest member of the Goodwick family to show his prowess, and Dan James, all the way from the Rhondda Valley with Tylerstown ABC.

Both boxers produced some good stuff and with sympathetic reffing from Steve Glover the audience was delighted – and both youngsters received winners’ trophies as their reward!
 

 
There was high drama in the senior bout between Leon Davies (Merlins Bridge) and Lawrie Davies (Tylerstown ABC) as the Haverfordwest boxer seemed on the way to victory after a long absence out of the ring and produced some crisp jabs that put his namesake on the back foot, especially in the first round, when the bell saved Lawrie Davies from a standing count.

But then Leon James was caught be a left hook which put him on the floor and although he bravely battled on he received a big swinging right that saw Lawrie Davies receive a KO verdict!
 
Contrasting skills
 
The evening was brought to a conclusion with Merlins Bridge’s Welsh novice champion Edwin Woollard taking on a more experienced opponent in Jake Coombs (Prizefighter ABC), who used that experience to swarm all over Woollard like a rash.

The local boxer tried hard to use his better boxing skills but Coombs’ ability to crowd him out paid dividends with a win on points – but Woollard will have learned a great deal from the bout which he can put to good use in the future.
 

 
In other bouts, Mostyn James (Prizefighter ABC, Carmarthen) beat Lee Hodges (Aberystwyth ABC) after his twin brother had lost narrowly in the first bout.

Shannon Phillips (Afan Spartans ABC) and Kelsey Coleman (Premier ABC, Swansea) had both boxed only one exhibition bout apiece before their schoolgirl contest raised the roof with the loudest response from their respective supporters arguably the loudest hear in Letterston for a long time – and it was Coleman who gained a unanimous verdict.

Ian Gower (Narberth & Tenby ABC) made his debut against Dan Lloyd (Afan Spartans) and made a promising start before running out of steam in the final round and missing out on the tightest of split decisions.

Boxing picture parade from Letterston >>