Bethany Connellan wins Esker Box-Cup

Bethany 'The Blue' Connellan

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Bethany Connellan, of Hamer Boxing Club, won the Esker Box-Cup when she represented the North West Women Warriors in Dublin Friday 7 October.

In Europe's biggest two-day female event Connellan, 17, was matched against Ireland's Shannon Owens of Gilford ABC in the final and she showed great skills, footwork and determination to keep her aggressive opponent at bay. Connellan constantly caught Owens with her swift jab keeping her off balance before the Rochdale girl unloaded swift two and three punch combinations to both the body and head to take the bout and the gold medal by unanimous decision.

Jude English also represented Hamer Boxing Club at the North West Women Warriors in Ireland but was unsuccessful in her challenge against Esker golden girl Rebecca Toohey who beat English in a very close split-decision that could have gone either way.

Although she was disappointed with the defeat, English, 14, was offered an opportunity to redeem herself when she was given a chance to box again the very next day and she bravely took on the challenge of Neve Diks-Taylor of Freedom ABC, Doncaster after Diks-Taylor's original opponent pulled out.

Diks-Taylor quickly settled to the task and landed an accurate jab that began to constantly catch English as she moved in.

However, it wasn't long before the Hamer girl began to settle and find her range, and as she did so, she began to take the fight away from her opponent to gain gold by a unanimous decision.

The North West Warriors head coach Ian Harrison said: "Both girls showed true grit and boxed very well for their country.

"Jude showed how brave she was to step up to the plate so soon after her disappointment in losing such a close fight.

"As for Bethany, she was fantastic and the most improved girl in our squad of twelve girls that came away with six golds, three silver and one bronze.”