Joint tournament at Hutton Moor

WESTON Warriors and Weston Boxing Club held a joint tournament at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre, consisting of 18 contests, 17 of them having Weston representatives.

First to the canvas was 10-year-old Jiley Lamb of Weston in a skills contest. Both boxers got their hands raised at the end and duly received their awards.

The first competitive contest involved Weston boxer Wesley Williams of Hewish. He could not get into gear in this contest and stuttered through to be defeated by Arron Robinson of Lympstone.

Terry Price was next in for Weston, the unbeaten prospect took on Abu Alam of Empire, Bristol. In a cat and mouse contest, both boxers displayed some great skills, with the officials finally finding in favour of the Bristol boy.

In the next contest, Weston’s Scot Davey lost on points after boxing well against Jack Robertson of Tavern, near Watchet.

Schoolboy Wallace Attwell was next in action and ready to impress. From the opening bell, he picked off his opponent, Shepton Mallet’s Owen Penny, to take a unanimous points win.

Fifteen-year-old Weston boxer Sailey Price followed suit and put on a fine display of boxing, which merited an award from the Royal Hotel for the evening’s best junior boxer, presented by owner Cyril Eggington.

Things went downhill again as the next three Weston boxers were defeated before the interval. Sam Higgins from Nailsea, was beaten on points by Sturminster Newton’s Kyle Pearson, Bradley Warwick of the Bournville Estate was also beaten on points by Devonport’s Zak Jordan and 38-year-old Chris Harris retired in the second round to Alan Hyde of Rough Diamonds, Gloucester, in a light-heavyweight masters contest.

After the interval, Weston Warriors’ boxer Dan Trueman got things of to a great start in his debut against Devonport’s Ben Jarvis, stopping his opponent in the first round.

Weston boxer Ashley Holder looked to follow suit in a light-middleweight senior contest against Synwell’s Shaun Buckley. After getting of to a good start, his fitness started to let him down and midway through the third he had to retire.

Next to the ring was Worle’s Tom Harris, aged 19, and son of Chris Harris who boxed earlier. Unfortunately, the family had to suffer another defeat as Tom’s opponent Jack O’Rielly of HorseShoe, Swindon, was a classy boxer and won clearly on points.

Super heavyweight Alan Norman of Weston Warriors, faced Lidl Monfries, from Broadplain, Bristol. Alan made an impressive start for a debutant, but lost on points.

Ollie Giddings was next in an he faced Synwell’s Connor Crossbee in this welterweight contest. Important advice from cornerman Sheridan Davey changed the contest. Ollie gave a great display of boxing to complete a comfortable win and the award of Weston ABC boxer of the night, receiving the Ralph Stanton Memorial Trophy from North Somerset Council chairman, Cllr Terry Norman, the evening’s special guest.

Weston Warriors’ Tom Lyons followed and the strong light-heavyweight did not let his followers down, destroying his opponent, Sturminster Newton’s Dan Moors in the opening seconds.

Lewis Hunt was hoping to make it a great finale for the Weston clubs. Squaring up to him was Tavern light-middleweight Joe Smith. Both experienced boxers had a clash of style ‘s which did not make it the most entertaining contest, but Lewis’ constant pressure enabled him to take the decision, making it a great end to a great evening of boxing.