In what was a tough week in the build-up to our second home show of the year with the news, head coach Joe Dryden was going to be unavailable for the show due to illness.
All boxers, coaches and volunteers got together and agreed they were going to give there all, in a mark of respect of the boss whilst he recovers.
Again, the bright lights of Whitehaven Golf Course were the sold-out venue which could have sold out twice in anticipation of the event.
The club was delighted to be able to showcase 12 of its own boxers in the bouts throughout the night together with a home sided bout of fellow Cumbrians also taking place in the red corner.
Getting the evening underway was three skills encounters in which our very own boxers Kayla Dryden, Lewis Turner and Marshall Miller learned some valuable lessons whilst showcasing their talents for the watching crowd as did respective opponents from Beath, PS Boxing Academy and Wildcard.
For Miss Dryden and Miss Miller, they will now move onto bouts soon having reached the next level of their boxing journeys.
Next up was one of the brothers, Young Shep aka Kane Shepherd who was stepping in for his second bout in as many weeks against his Tyldesley Centurions opponent who was quite taller and heavier in stature, however Shep to his credit spend the who encounter on the front foot and was able to achieve relative success, however his opponent used his attributes to his advantage to score the W on this occasion.
Alysha Duncan then stepped up massively in class against a current Scottish girl’s champion from travelling club, Doonhamers’.
Lish, as she is known to friends, didn’t disappoint against the high calibre of opponent also and although didn’t get the Win, she showed she belongs at the level of her opponent as she dominated the later stages of the bout
The second of the Shepherd Boys and older brother Cayden aka Checkout was next into ring against another Scottish contender this time from Hawick on his second bout since his return after a break.
This brief break seemed to have done Cayden the world of good as he was able to use the rapturous crowd to his advantage in an all-out war against his equally game opponent to pick up a massively confidence boosting win after 6 hard fought minutes of boxing.
Leon Emerson and his Tyldesley Centurions opponent was the next encounter as part of the show in a return from just over 12 months ago.
After only 8 seconds, Emerson was able to show his power scoring a knockdown, however the opponent was able to recover and together with Leon put together a tough 3 rounds of boxing which was very end to end with both boxers scoring regularly with their clubbing blows. Leon can hold head up high in the excellent performance even though his hand wasn’t raised by the referee.
Elliot Murray climbed into the ring next against a visibly stocky Wildcard boxing club opponent and together a nice boxing performance sticking to his awkward style in picking up the win from the judges.
Next up and recent winning Northwest Region representative, Alfie Govan’s faced a return against a North Star opponent.
Both boxers showcased a performance for the excited audience in which there was very little time for recovery as both boxers looked to score punches at every opportunity and every range.
The North Star boxer was given the nod at the end of a close fought contest.
Brandon Briggs was in the first of 3 West Cumbria derbies against his Egremont counterpart.
Briggs continually came forward throughout the contest and did successfully on occasion however this was enough to impress the judges enough to be giving the victory.
Corban Pavitt was the second of derby encounters, this time against an older Cleator Moor opponent in another exciting encounter in the penultimate contest.
Corban showed his slippy skills when given the opportunity and even though his fitness did become an issue as the bout progressed was given a deserved victory from the judges.
The main event was student and big injury doubt, Brandon Duncan stepping in against another Egremont boxer in a very tough and come forward affair in which both boxers were shattered at the end.
Duncan didn’t give in throughout the contest, but his opponent, did they little bit extra to take a deserved win at the end of the bout
There were also 3 cross matches including Maryport, Beath, Currock , Cleator and Coastal who put on some great contests.
A special thanks to: Main sponsor West Coast Competitions, Ring sponsors DSD, Table and Other Sponsors, H Stamper Services Limited, Mike Shepherd Joinery, Enigma Hair and Beauty Studio, Regal Superbikes , Uppies and Downies Charity team and Josh McAlister (MP)
The raffle prizes from Morrisons, Halfords, West Coast Competitions, Extreme Fitness, ETL, The Entertainer, Costa Coffee, Key Sports, Chambers Workington, Bookers Cash and Carry and also to the friends and families of the club who gave prizes also.
Finally to all the club coaches, boxers, volunteers and all in attendance together with the officials and host at Whitehaven Golf club for an excellent evening together with all the travelling clubs.
We will be back in 2024 for our next show.
