THERE was double delight for Crymych's all-conquering Croft twins at Crymych Leisure Centre on Friday night.

Fifteen-year-olds Ioan and Garan displayed their full repertoire of silky skills en route to split-decision victories over highly-rated Durham opponents Josh Babb and Robert Towers (both Ward Degnans ABC) respectively.

Southpaw Ioan was at his elusive best against the shorter Babb. The Cardigan boxer scored with an eye-catching right-hand jab in the opening round as the Durham boy sought to engage at close quarters.

While Babb maintained an effective work-rate, the quality shots were coming from his Welsh opponent, a spearing straight left drawing a rueful smile from the visitor.

Realising he was trailing on points, Babb raised the tempo in the final round, only for most of punches to meet empty air as Croft danced and shimmied to an exceptional victory.

And it also proved a memorable night for Garan, currently in exceptional form.

While in the past Garan has shown a tendency to be dragged into brawls, this time he deployed his boxing skills to great effect against Towers – and was rewarded with the best boxer of the night award.

Yet the show was almost stolen by 12-year-old Kaya Evans-Knight, of Parcllyn, who outworked and outlasted Shauna Miller (Baglan Bulldogs) in a rousing display.

A ferocious onslaught in the second round saw the Port Talbot girl pinned in her own corner and Evans-Knight maintained the pressure to secure a unanimous decision as well as the best Cardigan boxer of the night award.

Another first-time Cardigan ABC winner was Fishguard's Mikey O'Sullivan who produced an astonishing workrate to secure a unanimous points win over Jim Price (Pontypool ABC).

Two other Cardigan boxers – Letterston duo Cai Llewellyn and Adam Lawrence - went heartbreakingly close, both dropping split decisions against Alex Sherratt (St Peters) and Lewis Bennett (Ward Degnans) respectively.

During the interval, Cardigan's Jake Jones boxed an entertaining exhibition with Tonteg's C J Jones.

Cardigan ABC head coach Guy Croft, who had earlier expressed frustration that Cardigan junior lightweight Ollie Jones and Aberporth senior light-welter Erin Lewis had seen their opponents pull out, was nevertheless delighted with the quality match-ups

“As always, a lot of hard work goes into a home show but it's all proved worthwhile and the support we get here in Crymych is unbelievable,” he said.

MC for the night was former Cardigan ABC boxer Ben Rees-Davies, now a serving soldier with the Royal Welsh Regiment and a member of the Army's elite boxing squad.

Other results: Graham Hickson (Ward Degnans) beat Rhys Jones (Tonteg) unan; John Kerrigan (St Peters) beat Zak Sowerby (Ward Degnans) split; Francy Doherty (Pinewood) bt Kyle O'Sullivan (Merlins Bridge) ret 2nd rd; Tommy Cole (Pinewood) bt Kieran Bevan (Premier) unan; Jack Lambert (Karmand) bt Joe Anthony (Towy) unan; Jake Anthony (Towy) bt Sean Nelson (Ward Degnans) split.