CARDIGAN welterweight Erin Lewis had to dig deep to overcome an opponent 11 years her senior in a gruelling clash at Neath Workingmen's Club on Tuesday night.

The Aberporth teenager had looked set for another early win after a solid right hand forced Swansea's Anna-Marie Bond (Warehouse ABC) to take a standing eight count in the opening round.

But the bell prevented Lewis from following up and Bond, 29, rallied in the second, forcing her taller opponent into some blistering exchanges at close quarters.

With both going toe-to-toe in the final round, it was the Cardigan girl – currently her club's lone senior – who landed the cleaner shots to take a split decision.

“I almost had her in the first, but couldn't quite finish it,” Lewis, an 18-year-old beauty student at Coleg Ceredigion, said afterwards. “She's one mean chick and came back strong.

“I wasn't at my best but gave absolutely everything I had for Cardigan tonight – I proved I can go three hard rounds.”

Bond, a member of a club who have proved something of a nemesis for the Cardis, said: “The kid hits hard, no question, but I would take a rematch in a heartbeat.”

Cardigan ABC head coach Guy Croft said Bond had remained “a constant danger” throughout.

“Erin's determination kept her just ahead – I was surprised at the split because I thought she had the edge all the way through,” he added.

*Cardigan ABC's Ioan and Garan Croft tuned up for next week's Three Nations championships at Rotherham with unanimous points wins in a Wales Select v Ireland Select match in Galway.

Ioan overcame boxed Bim Conroy, of Tober Pheadair ABC, after peppering the Irish boy with accurate shots throughout the bout.

Not to be outdone, twin brother Garan won with something to spare against Ciaran White, of Galway, which was not quite enough to prevent Wales losing 7-6.