St Gerards girls pack a punch at Millwall

St Gerards Boxing Club took three elite-squad girls to Milwall Football Club's Lions conference centre in south-east London to take part in an all-female show.
Abigail Wawman with her St Gerards coachesAbigail Wawman with her St Gerards coaches
Abigail Wawman with her St Gerards coaches

First up, Holly Heffron faced Elsie Pattenden of Hastings in a tussle between two 14-year-olds both weighing in at 47kg.

They had boxed each other before with Heffron taking a well-deserved points decision.

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The bout started with Pattenden rushing forward and Heffron covering up, taking the shots on her arms and coming back with very clear counters.

The second round was much the same and Heffron was told to hold the centre of the ring to avoid being pushed back on the ropes.

In the third round Heffron was told to up the ante and she did. Heffron held her own and scored some cracking rear-hand shots.

Pattenden was judged the victor on points, but Heffron is hoping for a third contest againsat her and can be proud of her efforts.

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Next for St Gerards was Abigail Wawman, 17, making her debut for the club and weighing in at 54kg in the bantamweight division, facing the more experienced Ceri-Anne-Odell of Odell’s Community BC, Birmingham.

Coach Jon Mills told Wawman to enjoy herself and let the punches flow. She didn’t dissapoint and the punches flew clear and crisp. It was fast and furious from both.

In the second round Wawman took advantage of her ability to switch-hit at ease, scoring with some cracking combinations.

The third round brought more of the same and Wawman won a well-deserved points victory.

Mills said the bout was a real pleasure to be involved in.

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Last but not least was Abilgail’s sister Katie Wawman, 19 weighing in at 63kg in the light-welterweight division for her second contest, against Ella Gilbert, 24, making her debut for Islington BC.

The first round saw both girls scoring some decent shots on the target, Wawman with the more telling blows. The second round saw the St Gerard’s fighter use precision to win the round clearly.

In the last round both girls gave it their all, and Wawman won the contest on a well-deserved points decision.

Coach Mills and St Gerard’s stalwart Gerry Lavelle said they were very proud of all their female fighters.

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All the girls received their representative south of England vests.

* St Gerards’ annual big black-tie boxing event, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Chichester Priory, takes place on Saturday, February 25 at Chichester College.

Any interested parties wishing to book tables or sponsor bouts for a fantastic event supporting local youth groups should contact Rotarian Ray Richardson on 01243 543701. Tables are for ten and are £50 a head.

Anyone wishing to sponsor St Gerards as a club should access their Facebook toback their efforts to address anti-social behaviour in the local community.

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