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GIRL POWER: Stephanie Carter, right, from the county town, beat Kingsteignton's Vienna Quaintance

DORCHESTER Amateur Boxing Club's first Open Air Tournament proved a huge success with six county town boxers recording victories.

The contest, held on Dorchester Town FC's Jewson Stadium pitch, saw 15 bouts in total with eight home members on the bill.

The first Dorchester boxer to take to the ring was Luke Cooney who conducted a much faster pace than the opening bouts before him.

Cooney's impressive display put him well ahead of Jordan Callow from King Alfred ABC after two rounds, and by the sheer volume and speed of his punches Cooney was able to outbox his opponent and record a victory.

Elias Anderson recaptured past form to beat another King Alfred member in the form of Mason Shaw.

Holding centre ring Anderson forced his opponent to retreat in the first round before unleashing a furious exchange in the second.

It was a testing time in the third as Anderson took some heavy shots from a hurt and angry Shaw but the home boxer retaliated and came back to win with his own superior combinations.

Next up for Dorchester was Stephanie Carter who capped of her debut contest with a gritty performance to beat Vienna Quaintance from Kingsteignton.

Although fast and fiery, Quaintance never looked like overcoming the speed and accuracy of her county town opponent who dug deep to deservedly take the decision after a tough debut.

Another Dorchester debutant, Mark Foy, gave a brilliant and mature first bout outing.

An excellent first and second round saw Foy conserve his strength by not wasting punches against Taunton's John Birch.

But a heavy punch in the final round from the more experienced Birch saw him take the spoils.

Reece Legg's sensational first round saw him take the early initiative against Portland ABC's Joe Worley.

But the islander used his height advantage and longer reach to work himself back into the contest.

It turned into a bruising affair of heavy punches and it was Legg's trusty right hand that won him enough points to take victory.

Dorchester's Jason Derham proved a tricky customer for Daniel Wright of Poole.

Wright was always looking to land the one big punch but Derham could read his every move and planted some telling blows himself to take the decision.

Chris Harris meanwhile, was unfortunate to lose out to Oak-mead's Chris Billam-Smith after a positive performance.

The county town member appeared to be the one landing the crisper shots, but a better display in the last round from Billam-Smith saw him come out victorious.

Daniel Foster, the final Dorchester boxer on show, lived up to expectation to take victory against Barnstaple's Jamie Creek.

After imposing his dominance in the opening round Foster found Creek on better form in the second.

Foster then scored with jabs to the head and lefts to the body in the final round, and it was he who had his hand raised in victory.

Coun Mary Penfold, chairman of Dorchester ABC, said: "All the youngsters who boxed at the tournament can hold their heads high. They were skilful, courageous, highly motivated and confident.

"The whole evening boasted some absolutely splendid bouts showing an accurate reflection of the talent in and around Dorset.

"I would like to thank the participating clubs, our hosts Dorchester Town FC, the officials, the sponsors and the droves of loyal supporters."

8:57am Thursday 10th April 2008

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