Luke packs punch to ring up revenge

A capacity crowd enjoyed a bumper night of amateur boxing as 14 bouts made up Shrewsbury & Severnside ABC's latest show.

It was a story of tight contests at the Lord Hill Hotel in Shrewsbury with - results wise at least - the host club having a disappointing evening.

The sole Shrewsbury & Severnside victory of the night came thanks to 15-year-old Luke Merryfield who atoned for an earlier defeat to Burslem's Atel Khan.

"Luke had been beaten by Khan in Burslem and wanted the return badly," said head trainer Colin Hough.

"He was fired up for it and it was a fast and furious contest greatly appreciated by the crowd which Luke won on a tight majority decision."

William Guest had his first contest as he came up against Billy Johnson, of the Queensbury club, and the 11-year-old slipped to a close majority points defeat.

"I was really pleased with William's performance," added Hough. "We always aim to win but the big thing for a lad in his first contest is to get three rounds under their belt."

The run of tight points decisions continued with 12-year-old Sonny Jones, who was unfortunate to be on the wrong end of a defeat to Wye's Asa Probert.

And it was a similar story for Midlands junior novice ABA champion Jack Ward, who was beaten on a majority points verdict by Daniel Ward, of Burslem.

Shrewsbury & Severnside's one senior in action, middleweight Perry Darrell, also tasted defeat in his first ever contest when he was out-pointed by Ludlow's Oliver Tisdale.

"Perry didn't produce what he showed in the gym in the ring but it can go like that sometimes," added Hough.

Tisdale wasn't the only Ludlow winner on the night as Will Hayward proved too strong for Shotton's Kevin Joinson winning on a majority points decision.

But there were defeats for Craig Morris - against Welsh champion Joseph Lovell, and Ross Taylor to Newtown's Davy Jones.