After a two year absence due to covid lockdowns Norton Radstock ABC were finally able to stage their 2nd home show following on from the success of their first back in 2019.

This years venue was to a sold-out crowd at Conygre Hall in Timsbury with around 300 people in attendance some of which enjoyed a three course dinner.

The action got underway with Billy Meredith being the first of six to represent the local club. Up against Jasper Leach of Exmouth ABC, Billy started with controlled aggression keeping his opponent at the end of his long jab followed by some crisp solid combinations, counter punching and good footwork to avoid anything Leach tried to reply with.

After landing a short right hand and briefly flooring his opponent the referee gave Leach a standing count. Sensing an early finish Meredith went straight back in with his attack leaving the ref to give out another standing count. At the bell both boxers walked back to their corners one sensing a victory the other sensing the inevitable. The 2nd round started with Billy going hard for the win, with a minute gone in round two the referee ended the bout after seeing Leach take too much punishment.

Up next was Mitchell Braithwaite defending his good start of two bouts two wins. Standing across from him was Riley Anstice of Chepstow ABC. Mitchells winning formula so far was to take ring centre and push his opponents back with aggressive punching so why change anything. All three rounds Mitchell was so dominant with his solid shots, good movement and counters that at the conclusion all three judges awarded the bout unanimously to Braithwaite taking his winning run to 3 bouts 3 wins.

The third of the local lads was Jayden Walker against Brad Middleton of Mackenzies ABC in Poole. After two entertaining rounds by both boxers of which Walker was given a standing count the third was to prove the decisive round as both Walker and Middleton went for the win. Having to level things out Walker went hard and even gave his opponent a standing count in a ding-dong last round leaving it really difficult to split the two boys. After a few minutes discussion between the judges the result went in favour of Middleton by a close two rounds to one leaving Walker disappointed but not too despondent knowing he’d given his best effort. This was followed by debutant Jack Coombes experiencing his first taste of the amateur scene. After a promising start to the bout Jack stayed with his opponent Harrison Pugh of Cwmbran ABC punch for punch. After a close fought opening round the second round Jack found hard work as he took some solid shots giving the ref no option but to give him a standing count. As the round continued the Cwmbran boxer sensed an early finish and after landing a solid body shot that took all the wind out of Coombes, the victory was his.

"Its all experience for Jack, he’ll learn from it but I think the whole occasion got to him" said his coach.

Another Welsh boy, Dafydd Roberts of Hope & Glory ABC stepped up next against our Jacob Moon. With a height and reach advantage Roberts, who was also a switch-hitter, looked to keep things at length forcing Moon to get inside and work to the body. The tactics by both boys were having their own success which once again was all hinged on the last round and who could land the cleaner punches. At the end of the bout with both lads giving it their all the result was literally the flip of a coin which unfortunately came down the wrong side for Jacob.

"I personally thought Jacob just nicked it over the three rounds with his body and head attack, the other lad held a lot and looked like he was slapping with his punches but there you go, you have to accept it Jacob will come back stronger."

Finishing things off for the club was Bailey Barter, having his third bout was up against Yuri Cabral of Blue Flames ABC in Taunton. Coming out confident and showing good boxing in the first round, Bailey was having to watch the counter punches of his patient opponent several of which drew blood from Bailey’s nose. Building on his success Cabral continued to catch Barter with solid counters throughout rounds two and three leaving the result a formality for the judges in favour of Cabral.

"I think the occasion got to Bailey in the opposite way it did for Jack earlier on in that it pumped him up so much that he wanted to steam into his opponent and have a fight rather than continue with his boxing. Its frustrating because Bailey will tell you himself he can box better than that but its all experience that he’ll learn from."

At the conclusion to the night, head coach Sean Jenkins awarded the inaugural trophy for best Norton Radstock boxer of the night which went to Billy Meredith for his convincing stoppage win.

"I am so, so proud of my boxers for their efforts tonight they’ve all put 100% in to their training that I couldn’t have asked for any more from them.

"I was really impressed with the composure and shot selection by Billy tonight, he showed great maturity beyond his young experience. The night overall was a great success, it was well attended with everyone showing respect for every boxer and the noise they made for my club boxers was immense and gratefully received.

"The staff at Conygre Hall couldn’t do enough for me to ensure the event went well and for that im truly thankful so roll on next year for the next home show."