Newarthill ABC held their annual show last night in “The Club” Newarthill, and a smashing wee night it was. With contingent from England to add flavour to the event it was well worth the admission fee.
In the first contest of the evening Cambuslang’s newest protégé Gary Ducie from O’Neil’s ABC had his first outing against Newarthill youngster Stephen Hume. Young Gary showed real class though and boxed well to edge this contest 6-5 and head home a happy laddie having got the first one out of the way.
Newarthills Cameron Kerr was up next facing Dunfermlines Steven McArthur. This bout was a lively affair and with the scoring close at 10-9 in Kerr’s favour you get a flavour of how this one went.
Cory Downie (Newarthill) produced a career best performance to overcome English opposition in the form of Brian Ainsley (Birtly) There were no signs of the usual nervous performances which have plagued young Cory and it’s hard top believe he’s the same boy I watched at the last youth and novice show in the Mosshall Gym.
Scott Allan (Newarthill) bit off more than he could chew when up against Doon Valley’s Rhys Pagan. The Ayrshire boxer romped home 20-7 to not just win the bout, but also capture the judges imagination enough to land the best away boxer.
In a sight you’ll see about as often as a Celtic away win in Europe, Rocky Wright (Clydeview) actually got a competitive bout on a club show. The opposition had to be imported from Manchester though and Martin Mongon (Arrow ABC) did well against the reigning Four Nations Champion. Rocky was never in trouble though and it’s probably a mark of how good the wee man is that anything other than a sensational stoppage is expected any time he enters the arena. 4-2 was the result at the final bell, but it’ll do young Robert good to get some real time in before championship season kicks off at the turn of the year.
Port Glasgow kept up an impressive run of performances from the club when Kyle Wilson defeated Birtley’s Robbie Mitchieson 6-2. This was a good solid showing from Kyle and he’ll be glad to get the first bout of the season by with.
Scott Haining (Newarthill) came out very fast to try and make quick thrift of his contest with Bobby Fearns. (Doon Valley) I thought he would punch himself out but he just kept going like a steam train on full throttle for three rounds and Fearns did well hang in there with some lovely movement and evasion tactics but the Newarthill lad threw too much leather and it was only ever going to end one way. Haining won best home boxer for this performance so Fearns should take some heart from this.
A real cracker of a light welterweight contest saw Greenock’s Chris Walsh square up to old adversary Thomas Mullen (Springside) The experience of these young men shone through as they both had excellent defensive techniques and with the scoring at 7-7 in the end, a count-back was needed to narrowly give Mullen the nod by 6-5.
Leith Victoria’s Mike McKenzie had a miserable ride home following defeat at the hands of Arrow’s Lee Gillespie. It looked quite close but Gillespie had the cleaner punches and took it 5-2 after 6 mins.
The main event saw Newarthill’s Jamie Clarke pitted against the very good Jamie Jones (Birtley) in his final bout for the foreseeable future in the Pain Academy’s colours. He’s off to the Army in January and was hoping to enlist with a big win under his belt. As he entered the ring to the strains of “I’m A Wanderer” with everyone in the hall on their feet, clapping along, the scene looked set. Someone should have told Jamie Jones that though. Clarke looked very frustrated and was only really looking to land the big right throughout the fight and the Birtley Banger made him pay, pretty much landing shots at will and had a brave Clarke hanging on a couple of times to prove that nothing can be pre determined or planned when it comes to the two boxers in the ring.
A good night, no-one was sh***, Newns is still tight but the future looks bright.
Steven Hume, Newarthill Lpts Gary Ducie, O’Neills.
Cammy Kerr, Newarthill Wpts Steven McArthur, Dunfermline.
Cory Downie Newarthill Wpts Brian Ainslie, Birtley.
Scott Allan, Newarthill Lpts Rhys Pagan, Doon Valley.
Rocky Wright, Clydeview Won Pts Martin Mongon, Salford Arrow.
Kyle Wilson, Port Glasgow Wpts Robbie Mitcheson, Birtley.
Scott Haining, Newarthill Wpts Bobby Ferns, Doon Valley.
Tam Mullen, Springside Wpts Chris Walsh, Greenock.
Mike McKenzie, Leith Vic Lpts Lee Gillespie, Salford Arrow.
Jamie Clark, Newarthill Lpts Jamie Jones, Birtley.
Exhibitions
Wullie Lambie, Newarthill v Paul Morrison, Greenock.
Mark Parvin, Newarthill v Connor Clark, Greenock.
Best Home Boxer - Scott Haining (Newarthill)
Best Visiting Boxer - Rhys Pagan (Doon Valley)
John McCluskey
