Mayfield Rugby League

Rochdale Mayfield held their first fight night at the club on Saturday night and what a fantastic success it was. The clubhouse was packed to the rafters with cheering fight fans who couldn’t wait for the first bell, and when it went nobody was disappointed Andy “bonecrusher” Reid faced Simon “the beast” Moore in a battle royal. Those in the crowd expecting the combatants to take it easy were very mistaken with Reid and Moore going at it like two seasoned pros. Never a backward step was taken by either fighter and  in a tough and sometimes brutal encounter Moore took a points decision. This set the tone for the night with all ten fights running in the same vein, no quarter asked and none given.

Second bout was Craig “lights out” White against the formidable Mark “boom boom” Biggins for reasons best known to himself White entered the ring wearing a fetching little see through dress. This though was the only resemblance he had to a woman, taking some savage blows from Biggins he went on to take the match and provide another upset.

Next up was Simon “the Oldham stallion” Howe against fellow policeman Paul ‘Jacko’ Jackson in what was comically described as “the secret policeman’s brawl” pundits were tipping Howe with his eighteen inch height advantage to win this one but ex thai boxer Jacko showed the experience to  outclass Howe.

By this time the waiting gladiators had a feel of the intensity that was being reached in the ring and there was some nervous looking faces in the dressing rooms. None more so than Leon “the big show” Ashworth and Steve “concrete” Bamber who took to the ring next what these two lacked in speed and talent they more than made up for with grit and determination in fact Bamber faced the crowds wrath when he caught Ashworth from behind as he adjusted his head guard. The indiscretion was taken in good spirit though and paid back by Ashworth with a jab that almost straightened his nose. The result was a creditable draw.

Fight five and out came the Simpson brothers big bad Ben facing older and wiser brother lean mean Duncan this bout provided the first knock down but there were those in the crowd who swore Ben tripped Duncan! Undeterred Dunc regained his feet and fought till he could hardly move rocking Ben more than once to earn the evenings second draw.

Rob “magic Murphy was the second cross dresser of the night as he emerged sporting a pink tutu in his match with Richard “the whirlwind” Yeomans this was probably the most skillful fight of the night with both boxers looking like they had trained hard for the event. With the bout perched on a knife edge Murphy took a combination of shots and went down in the corner although he could pf slipped on something deposited in the ring earlier. This seemed enough to sway the judges and Yeomans rightly took the decision.

Brian Spreadborough accepting the challenge from long time friend Micky Bateson was next up, he was red hot favourite for this one and was said to have ordered a pint for the end of the first round. However Bateson soaked up Spreadboroughs   best shots and got some good work of his own in to working the head then the body Spreadborough absorbed the blows then almost finished his friend of only for the final bell to sound. Spreadborough took the honours in this one.

The club house was rocking now and the decibel level rose another notch as Sammy “the sledgehammer” Samson entered the arena followed by his opponent Lee “the party boy” Atkinson these went for it straight from the bell with Atkinson looking for the ko in round one. Samson was too skillful for that though and nifty footwork and a couple of good combinations helped him through. Rounds two and three were much the same in a great evenly matched contest it was difficult to call a winner but the judges gave it to Samson because he is slightly better looking.

If the last fight caught the interest of the crowd the next one almost blew the roof off ex Mayfield and Hornet Chris “the hitman” Hilton up against Warren “killer” Coupe. Warren brought half of Castleton with him, it’s rumoured he even paid for their tickets. The noise was unbelievable with Coups fans just edging it in the unofficial singing contest. The boxing match was a classic as expected. The crowd erupted as they entered the ring strutting about like two old war horses. Straight from the bell there was only one thing in both fighters minds KO. First Coupe then Hilton then Coupe again the blows were hard and straight and delivered without pause half the crowd gave the verdict to Coupe the other half to Hilton the judges were equally split and the result shared. Fantastic!

Last but by no means least Dave “the raging tull” Tully against Pete “the tornado” Topham the tension in the dressing room was only matched by the enthusiasm in the crowd. The atmosphere was electric the crowd surged forward to get a better view of the ring In came Tully, with, it must be said the entrance of the night he was followed by Topham who looked completely focused on the task ahead oblivious to the crowd and surroundings he entered the ring and squared up to Tully. The bell sounded and the fans were treated to three rounds of absolute commitment from both fighters, both absorbing everything the other threw. Tophams age advantage told in the end and his fitness was to much for the courageous Tully, who has always had the face of a boxer and on the night he proved he has the heart too. Topham was a deserved winner and his fans went wild.

Although bouts were drawn and bouts were won there was not a single loser on the night each and every individual who stepped in the ring was a winner and the biggest winner on the night was sport at the end of each fight the combatants hugged one another and were smiling from ear to cauliflowered ear with not a bad word exchanged between them all night

A big thanks on the night was extended to local ex boxer Crane Fisher who officiated all ten bouts and did so impeccably with not one complaint about his handling or his interventions, which in any sport is a massive achievement. Also attending on the night was British number two welterweight boxer Heywood’s Mark Thomson Fresh from his fantastic victory last week. Thanks also to master of ceremonies Braddy who also hosted an auction of sporting memorabilia to further boost the coffers, and no charity function would be complete without Moggy and his famous bucket making an appearance cheers Moggy.

Organizers Pete Duffy and Steve Gartland were left speechless on the night. The event was held to raise money for the Mayfield Mustangs and it served its purpose fantastically. Pete and myself were almost moved to tears by the generosity of all those who attended and contributed to one of the best events ever held locally, said Gartland.