CHEPSTOW Boxing Club member Patrick Larkin narrowly failed to lift the Welsh Youth title in Llantrisant on Sunday.

Larkin had originally thought he was through to the final after his opponent failed to turn up seven days earlier but it later transpired that the opponent had been held up by a snowstorm and the semi-final was arranged for last Saturday.

Although Larkin won the semi with a second round knockout, the exertions it took to reach the final may have taken their toll and he lost the final on a split decision.

But the club’s head coach Steve Woods refused to allow the defeat to take the shine off an excellent weekend of boxing.

“Patrick’s final was a brilliant boxing bout that had the whole crowd on their feet and went to a spit decision by the judges,” he said.

“Patrick lost but what a performance it was and he can hold his head up high. I was so proud to be in his corner.

“A day earlier, Elijah Carroll gained the win after he put in a a near-perfect performance against a very strong opponent, including giving the lad a standing count in round two.

“Aiden Hampsey wasn’t so lucky and lost a very messy bout  but, as always, Aiden put in a massive effort and I can only add how very proud I was as his coach.”

Bob Cypher