Guernsey V Western Counties

The team met at Bristol Airport for their lunchtime departure, all were in good spirits. A team meeting was held where Dave Dungay was selected as Captain, and the boxers intorduced to each other. A good flight was particularly enjoyed by Mike Freeman and Jerry Connors, taking to the air for the first time.
Rooms were allocated at the Ambassador Hotel, and the host 'Basil' made us all very welcome. Soup and sandwiches followed before a gentle stroll into town.
All the boxers came in at the required weight, except T Maunder from Guernsey. This meant Rahim Nanji's bout was off, a real shame for a smashing young lad, who then took on the camera man role for the night. A team meeting was held for final instructions before the action started.

Bout 1
NSC boxer Jerry Connors got proceedings underway against J Gilvear. A superb opening contest saw Gilvear edge a close points decision. A great effort from Jerry, just pipped after boxing well.

Bout 2
Walcots Tommy McDonagh oozed class against Alderney boxer C Sumner. A crunching body shot had Sumner down for the 8 count in round 1. Tommy piled on the presure and the style to ease home on points.

Bout 3
NSC's Bradley Collingbourne was going well against Gage Demore, until his nose started to bleed heavily. After 2 inspection from the referee, the coach withdrew his boxer as he was unable to stem the flow.

Bout 4
Broad Plain's Mathew Donnely and Alan Myres engaged in a toe to toe battle of attrition right from the start. This was a cracking contest, that went one way then the other. Donnely getting the nod to a standing ovation from the packed dinner crowd.

Bout 5
Cornishman Marcus Hodgeson faced tough Bradley Watson, who came out all guns blazing. After a torrid first round, Hodgeson rallied in the second. Round three saw Marcus on top, with stunning counter attacks and some brilliant footwork. Watson was on the receiving end at the final bell, but had done enough to win.

Bout 6
Forest Oaks boxer Mike Freeman faced J Woolnough who seemed to have his measure. Only a busy final round, where he never stopped working would be enough. Mike getting a majority win that could have gone either way. Very close.

Bout 7
Team Captain Dave Dungay from Devonport met up with W Calladine, who clearly wanted to take Daves head off. Dave stuck to his instructions in the final round, and forund the room for a stunning right cross. Calladines legs turned to jelly, and the referee waved it off. A great Captains performance.

Bout 8
Neal Herbert crossed swords with C Pearson, and seemed to have the bout under control. Three rounds of action with Mayflowers Herbert on top failed to impress the judges. Pearson winning by unanimous decision to the amazement of the away camp.

Bout 9
The decider. With the scores level at 4-4, Mike Rose faced off against T Duff. Another super contest had the crowd on its feet, with Rose starting particularly strongly. The game Duff couldnt keep Rose away, and all three judges declared Fromes Mike, and the Western Counties team, the winner.

Both sets of boxers and coaches then met up back at the Ambassador for a buffet and drinks. Guernsey made us very welcome, and we were treated like kings for the entire weekend. Basil served up some top quality food and was a great host.

The boxers behaved well, and listened to the coaches instructions.

Team Manger: Alan Brightman
Coaches Steve Gawron and Les Brooking

Western Counties Select Team V Jersey Leonis club

Western Counties Select Team V Jersey Leonis club
17th -19th April Team Report :

Travelling by Condor Ferries from Poole, Dorset on Friday the 17th April, a team of 12 boxers 4 coaches and 1 official ( Lynn Holmes ) left for a Western Counties select team verses the Jersey Leonis club boxing tournament, the show held for the first time at the Radisson SAS waterfront hotel, St Hellier, Jersey.

The weigh in was conducted on arrival at the La Place hotel, allowing plenty of time for the boxers to rest before the following days tournemount (Sat 18th April).

With 10 team bouts and 1 supporting bout the crowd paying between £25 + £30 were rewarded with an excellent nights boxing, resulting with a tie at 5-5.
The team was made up of both novice / inter juniors and senior boxers from City of Gloucester, Poole, National Smelting and Empire ABC.
Returning on Sunday 19th April to Weymouth, Dorset and onwards by minibus to home addresses.

Team Coaches : Neal Partridge, Shaun Holmes, Leo Toms, Nigel Purcell
OIC : Brian Pollard
Results :
Supporting bout
Liam Allen-(Poole)(won points Unanimous) v Jake Stevens (Gloucester)

Team bouts
Steven Buchan-Jersey Leonis v Reece MacCavoy-(Poole)( won points majority )

Ben Smyle-Jersey Leonis(won points majority )v Dene Heckford (Poole)

Ryan Hodson-Jersey Leonis v Gary Smeaton-Gloucester (won points majority )

Tom Frame-Jersey Leonis (won points majority) v Raynor Mason-Poole

Ben Cairney-Jersey Leonis v Joe Ross-NSC(won points Unanimous)

Mike Connaghan-Jersey Leonis v Ricky Pow-Empire(Won RSC 3 )

Shane Goggin-Jersey Leonis v Terry Richards-NSC(won points majority)

Boyd Munroe-Jersey Leonis (won points majority) v Mickey Biggs-Gloucester

Rubin Legge-Jersey Leonis (won points Unanimous) v Todd Roberts-Gloucester

Danny Kennedy-Jersey Leonis (won points Unanimous) v George Reeves-Gloucester

Thanks to all
Neal Partridge (Advanced Coach)

NSC win award from South Gloucester Sports forum

Garry Cave (front centre), coach Jake Whiteside (front left) and
Martin Bisp from Empire ABC (front right)

The National Smelting Company Amateur Boxing Club have been presented with an award at South Gloucester Sports Forum's annual sports awards ceremony.

The Sports Link award recognises the club's work to promote school-club links in the area. Head coach Garry Cave and his coaches have been running an after-school boxing club at Patchway Community College, have set up a fully equipped boxing gym at the college and run boxing taster sessions for pupils. Over the summer they even ran school holiday boxing camps in partnership with Patchway Sports Centre.

Family school sport co-ordinator Rachel Nightingale of Patchway Community College, who nominated the club said: "Garry impressed me with his drive, commitment and absolute passion for what he was trying to achieve. This club shows no sign of slowing down in its ambition to deliver quality, safe and fun boxing to our schools and community. The establishment of the new Patchway Amateur Boxing Club back in July has been a brilliant thing for everyone to be part of. The passion and drive of this boxing club is immense. I have never worked with such a professional, hardworking, well organised and motivated individuals as Garry and his coaches."

Dates for February and March 09

February
14th NACYP Regional finals Broadplain Bristol
20th Gloucester ABC ,
20th Taunton ABC
21st Amalgamated
21st Barnstaple
21st Bodmin
28th NACYP Quarter finals Broadplain Bristol

March
3rd Devonport
6th Gloucester
7th Cornwall and Dorset Divisional tournament Newquay.
7th Paignton
13th Poole
13th Amalgamated
13th Exmouth
15th NACYP semi finals Broadplain Bristol
20th Kingsteighton&Newton Abbott
21st Synwell (to include Northen divs Senior and Junior Championships)
27th Royal Navy v Cornwall and Dorset (Portsmouth)
28th Wells
28th Bideford
28th Newquay (to include Southern divs Junior and Senior championships)