Thrilling contests across the card (From Gazette Series)

Thrilling contests across the card

SYNWELL Amateur Boxing Club hosted their second open tournament of the season at the Lister Hall in Dursley.

As with previous tournaments, the venue was packed with supporters, who witnessed a full evening of quality boxing consisting of 19 contests.

Synwell boxers took to the ring in seven of the contests.

First was 12-year-old Billy Aldridge and his opponent Adrian Simms of Sturminster Newton ABC. Hopes were high for Aldridge, as on their previous meeting earlier this year, the Synwell boxer had easily beaten the Sturminster boy.

However, on this occasion it was victory for Simms, with Aldridge accepting defeat with a disappointing points verdict.

Twelve-year-old Jack Andrews' opponent was Marco Mirco of Broad Plain ABC in Bristol.

It was not long before it became evident Mirco had trouble in contending with his stronger opponent, having no answers for the hard-punching Synwell boxer.

The referee stepped in to end the fight in round two, the verdict going to Andrews.

Thirteen-year-old Mitchell Lever's opponent was Rees Hayward of Barnstaple ABC.

This contest had all the hallmarks of what should have been a great contest with neither boy having been beaten.

The contest lived up to its expectations, the supporters being treated to three rounds of hard, skillful boxing that was dominated by the Synwell boxer, who enjoyed a unanimous points victory.

Fifteen-year-old Charles Henderson was matched against David Duffin from Kingswood ABC.

This was the second meeting for these boys, having contested earlier in the year.

On that occasion, after a disappointing performance by both boxers, Duffin was declared victor.

Here, a hard-fought contest saw Duffin take a unanimous points success.

Twelve-year-old Jimmy Tyrer's opponent was Roger Tyler from Berinsfield ABC, Oxford. The pair produced three rounds of constant action with Tyler taking a majority points victory in a contest that might have gone either way.

Fifteen-year-old Hobie Lamb's opponent was Richard Purdy from Torbay ABC as both fighters made their debuts.

The bout began with neither boy shying away from the action, exchanging hard punches, as would be expected from young light-heavyweights.

Lamb appeared to take the initiative and, after three rounds of hard-hitting action, the deserved majority points victory went to Lamb.

Last of the Synwell contestants was senior welterweight Johnathan Scott, his opponent Sean Mogg of National Smelting ABC in Bristol.

This bout was between two strong boxers, known as hard hitters.

It was an evenly matched contest in which hard toe-to-toe exchanges were prevalent, neither boxer willing to give ground.

After three hard rounds that spurred a loud verbal response from the crowd, the result was a well deserved majority points victory to Scott.

Other bouts consisted of top quality open class boxing including a junior contest between the current English Junior Champion Billy Joe Saunders of Cheshunt ABC against the Welsh Junior Champion Daniel Richards of the Heads of the Valley club.

This bout went to the full four rounds of boxing, the result a points win for Saunders.

Open Class Junior: Ashley Sexton of Cheshunt ABC took on Empire ABC's Danny Webb, the result a points victory to Sexton.

Bill Crotty of Cheshunt ABC boxed Darren Hamilton of Empire ABC, the result a points victory to Hamilton.

Other results: Joe Cross (Cheshunt ABC) beat Austin Thomas (Barry ABC) on points, Jye Holland (Berinsfield ABC) beat Gary Coles (Kingswood ABC)on points, George Goddard (Cheshunt ABC) beat Jerry Connors (Kingswood ABC) on points, Josh Hayden (Heads of the Valley) beat Owen Gallagher (Walcot ABC) on points, Michael O'Loughlin (Cheshunt ABC) beat Ben Hunter (Barnstaple ABC) - Hunter retired first round, Robert Markinkiewic (Yeovil ABC) beat Martin Davies (Heads of the Valley) on points, John O'Kelly (Barry ABC) beat Lee Nutland (Kingswood ABC) on points, Mark Gibson (Cheshunt ABC) beat Justin Williams (Kingswood ABC) on points and Alan Lamb (Barry ABC) beat Scott Morgan (Forest Oaks ABC) on points.