Malmesbury boxers show their craft in the ring (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Malmesbury boxers show their craft in the ring

THERE was standing room only when Malmesbury Boxing Club staged their final show of the season at Chippenham's Olympiad Leisure Centre on the Saturday before last.

The capacity crowd were treated to 15 bouts, seven of which included boxers from the host club who were without the services of their star middleweight, Aaron Kehoe, who was sidelined with a frustrating hand injury sustained during a winning contest when representing the Western Counties against the Army earlier in the season.

Younger brother Aston was left without an opponent when his bout fell through the day before and fellow senior, Richard Nelson was also disappointed when the boy he was matched with failed a pre-fight medical.

Despite these setbacks, a tremendous evening ensued with the action served up by boxers from Wales, London, the Home Counties, Portsmouth and the Western Counties.

On his debut for Malmesbury ABC, schoolboy Sam Brazier made a promising start before being caught by a right hand from Cleeve's Rob Lockey.

After being forced to take a standing count, Brazier fought back bravely but referee Steve Brookes halted the action, somewhat prematurely, when Lockey went on the attack again.

When Dan Williamson's opponent failed to turn up, his bout was re-arranged with Dayle Vernon from Lydney.

In spite of conceding experience on his debut, Williamson took the first round by storm, forcing Vernon against the ropes and scoring to head and body.

The Lydney boy had more success in the second, especially towards the end of the round as his rival's work rate dropped away.

Although Williamson made a concerted effort at the start of the last round, he spent too much time covering up on the ropes which cost him a close decision.

Club mate Sam Jenner was greeted with a tremendous roar and didn't let his fans down as he easily picked off Sturminster Newton's Glen de Lange with accurate jabs and crosses.

Jenner's slick footwork saw him glide away each time de Lange launched an attack, and this pattern continued throughout the second.

Boxing to his corner's instructions, Jenner showed a variety of combination punches in the last round to emerge a wide points winner.

Schoolboy Clint Stevens was the third Malmesbury debutante and was in a hurry to impose himself against Broad Plain's Lewis Casey.

Stevens started at a ferocious pace and forced his opponent back with two handed attacks and clearly won the first round.

While Stevens maintained the upper hand in the second, the action slowed towards the end of the round as the Malmesbury boxer began to feel the pace.

Although both faded in the final round, the Malmesbury boy finished as clear points victor.

Southpaw Richard Sheppard had a big task in facing the touted Foley boxer, Kevin Price who came storming out at the bell.

Sheppard remained unfazed and fought back with a series of one-two combinations to rock back his opponent's head.

There was more of the same in the second with the Londoner launching attacks which were counter by a grimly determined Sheppard.

In the third, Price's loose defence gave Sheppard plenty of opportunities to score and he didn't pass them up as he drilled in straight punches to the head.

A solid right jab clearly had an effect and brought a standing count from referee Brookes towards the end of the last round, and probably persuaded the judges to give a close decision to the Malmesbury boy.

Top schoolboy Joe Hughes was below his best in his return contest with Broad Plain's Jimmy Connors who had controversially outpointed him last December.

Hughes went on attack in an untidy first round and Connors had to employ all of his skills to keep his aggressive rival from landing his famed left hook.

Using his jab more in the second, the Malmesbury schoolboy connected solidly each time.

Although not taking many punches himself, Connor's pierced Hughes' defence with the odd jab which produced a trickle of blood from the Malmesbury boy's nose.

Although not one of his better displays, Hughes appeared to have done enough to earn the decision, but the judges awarded victory to Connors.

Nonetheless, Joe Hughes finished his season with a win in Wales last Saturday when the club travelled to Newport for the penultimate show of the season.

Hughes faced St Mellion's Luke Wall who boasted a fine record and was clearly expecting to add another win to his tally.

Wall, encouraged by local fans, battled every inch of the way and inflicted a bloody nose on Hughes as early as the first round.

This was never a problem for Joe, although the referee paused the action a couple of times to inspect the damage.

Every time the Malmesbury boy threw the jab, it connected with force and it was this punch that caught the judges' eyes and earned him the decision.

Clubmate Clint Stevens was unable to add to his recent victory on his own club's show and lost a points decision to St Joseph's Aaron Reece.

Stevens showed lots of aggression but neglected his defence and the Welsh boy scored with long jabs to take a clear decision.

Malmesbury visit Southampton this weekend where three of their squad will be in action.