The latest festival of boxing provided by Merlins Bridge Amateur Boxing Club proved a great success as they took on opponents from as far afield as Tylorstown in the Rhondda Valley and Cirencester, allied to great support from more local clubs like Pembroke and Cardigan.

Head coach Graham Brockway again took his talented youngsters to Letterston Community Hall, where the excellent facilities added to the success of the evening, with a large and knowledgeable crowd completing an evening to remember.

There were ten bouts during the evening and the undoubted highlight was the all-action contest between Lewis Barrows (Merlins Bridge) and Callum Copp (Premier ABC, Swansea), who gained a split decision when a number of pundits felt that Barrows was marginally the better boxer.

But they were agreed that one couldn’t see a better display of skills from 13 year olds and Barrows’ reward for displaying such good sportsmanship was that his bout was adjudged the ‘Best Bout of the Evening’ and he received a special trophy from John Phillips, the official in charge.

The evening started with another schoolboy contest between Adam Lawrence (Cardigan) and Billy Harris (Cirencester), whose ten-hour round trip proved worthwhile as he again earned the majority verdict from the three judges.

Harry Laverick (Merlins Bridge) then was awarded a split-decision win over John Probert (Pembroke) and the result must have been so close that perhaps a draw might be considered with schoolboy bouts because it was so close it was nigh on impossible to choose the winner as both boys showed great skills and sound defences.

Cirencester’s boxers gained a second win when Tom Varey just edged out Ryan Christopher (Pembroke) in a junior contest over three two-minute rounds. It was easy to see the high skill levels from two youngsters who have had in excess of 20 bouts each – and once more it took a split decision to name Varey as the winner.

The first half of the programme ended with the O’Sullivan brothers Alex and Kyle from Goodwick respectively taking on Coburn Crocker (Premier) and Mike Varey (Cirencester).

Alex is already an experienced young boxer and once more demonstrated his talents, whilst Kyle is too young to take part in competitive bouts but loves being in the ring – and both showed their potential with dad Wayne giving advice as coach in their corner!

A girls bout pitched Laura Edwards (Pembroke) against Erin Lewis (Cardigan and although Edwards showed promise in her first bout it was Lewis who prevailed to make it a winning debut.

Cameron Barrows completed a good evening for his family when he beat the promising Dylan Scott from Pembroke, who showed that he has the ability to go a long way against a more experienced opponent in Barrows who is already receiving high praise for his work in the gym and the ring!

Thomas Bradford (Merlins Bridge) boxed an exhibition against the younger Charlie Sture (Pembroke) which entertained the crowd – and James Griffiths finished the evening on a high note for the home club as he gained a majority verdict over the rugged Jordan Jones (Tylorstown).

Griffiths has really grown in stature and looked solid in defence whilst being able to catch Jones with some crisp jabs and strong right hooks – and he was understandably delighted with the verdict and the fact that he won the ‘Mikey Boy’ shield as the best Merlins Bridge boxer of the evening!