Agony and ecstacy for Walcot

10:47am Tuesday 15th April 2008

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THERE was joy and despair for Walcot Amateur Boxing Club at the weekend as young Ryan Martin won gold for England but clubmate Marlon Reid had his ABA title dreams dashed.

Martin was boxing for England in the Golden Gloves Three Nations Championship in Sheffield against Wales and Scotland.

The 14-year-old Greendown schoolboy took on Patrick Miller in the Class Two 60kg Final in the third encounter between the two boxers this season - both boasting a victory apiece.

In the opening rounds Martin was frustrated by Miller's holding tactics which thwarted many of his attacks and earned his rival two warnings by the referee.

Even so, Miller held a 7-4 advantage at the end of the second round.

But Martin bounced back in the final round as he clawed back the deficit thanks to his all-out-attack tactics and two further public warnings to Miller which cost him a four-point deduction and ultimately victory as the Walcot boxer triumphed 11-7.

A delighted Martin said: "It was a tough fight and I'm really pleased to have won.

"To stand on the podium and have the gold medal put around my neck is my proudest moment in boxing.

"I would like to thank all the Walcot coaches who have trained me, and I'd also like to thank my dad Lee for always supporting me and for driving me all over the country to box."

In the same event there was disappointment for Tommy McDonagh who lost 11-10 against Welshman Kieron Pring.

Further disappointment followed for Walcot as England International Reid had his ABA title dreams dashed in the Western Counties Final in the Forest of Dean.

A lacklustre performance from the Walcot middleweight saw him lose out 22-18 on points to Torquay's Luke Whane.

Reid was slow to find his rhythm and was 5-2 down after the opening round.

The second session saw Reid increase the workrate but Whane matched him to lead 11-8 at the bell.

During the next round, Reid landed a quality left hook which wobbled his West Country opponent, but he failed to follow it up and Whane recovered his composure to score with left jabs and straight rights of his own to lead 17-13 going into the final round.

The final two minutes was another close affair with both boxers giving their all but Whane did just enough to earn a 22-18 victory.

Coach Harry Scott praised Reid's rival after the fight, saying: "Whane deserved to win the bout, although it was close throughout.

"Marlon wasn't at his best and paid the price."

A disappointed Reid said: "It just didn't happen for me tonight.

"I'd already beaten Luke before so I knew what to expect, but I never really got going.

"I'm gutted because I really thought I could win the title this season."

• PENHILL Amateur Boxing Club's Kelvin Young enjoyed a superb victory over previously undefeated Forest Oaks boxer Danny Griffiths.

Young was fighting in a supporting bout in the Western Counties ABA Finals and produced a fine performance.

In the opening round, Griffiths made it difficult for Young as he tried to smother him and thwart his attacks but eventually the home boxer came unstuck.

Young eventualy caught Griffiths with some good shots at close range to gain the upper hand.

Young, boxing on the back foot, found it very difficult against a very awkward and orthidox Griffiths.

This was the pattern throughout three rounds with Young taking a majority decision and putting an end to Griffiths' unbeaten run.

Coach Simon Knowles said: "This was a very good win for Kelvin. He was up against a very strong boxer.

"To beat the Cinderford man on his own show was a very good result.

"There is a lot more to come from this boy yet."