FOUR boxers from Bideford ABC were crowned Western Counties champions in Bristol at the weekend.

On a brilliant day for the club at Broad Plain ABC, Jack Langford, Ray Penfold, Ben Owen and Matt Van Emmenis all claimed titles.

And Barnstaple ABC's Keir McKinnon added to the North Devon success with another slick victory.

Owen's win was particularly impressive after he overcame two opponents on the same bill.

Aggressive and confident, he took care of the host club's Nathan Snow, gaining a unanimous verdict in their eliminator.

A slow start to the final against Walcot's Shyd Salem saw Owen embroiled in a first round which could have gone either way. But he moved through the gears to dictate the next two rounds and pick up his second unanimous victory.

Days after his meeting with Scott Wilson was cancelled at Bideford, Langford couldn't wait to get going against Empire ABC's Tim Cutler.

Langford was in brilliant form against his Bristol opponent, winning all three rounds with typical speed and skill.

Penfold was also disappointed to miss out on the action the previous week and made amends with a classy display of box-fighting against Broad Plain's Billy Aldridge.

Jabbing and counter-punching from the first bell, he got on top and never looked back.

His unanimous win was matched by Van Emmenis who had the edge over Brendan Gibbs of Wells ABC.

Always involved in close bouts, Van Emmenis has seen a fair few go against him, but this time he stood strong for the hard-earned success.

All four of Bideford's winners will go forward to the next round, also at Broad Plain, on February 13.

The only disappointment for the club was a defeat by majority for Josh Mason against home contender Jake Heel.

It was another tight bout and a potential rematch has been mooted for Bideford's Pannier Market Show on April 17.

For Barum, McKinnon carried on where he left off in last week's win against Jarrie Chown. He clinched the Class B under-63kg title, confidently beating Tyler Fox of Wells.

On Sunday, Barnstaple's Joe Ogijewicz came through one of 32 fiercely-contested bouts as the Western Counties faced the Southern Counties in the schoolboy quarter-finals in Southampton. Ogi edged a 3-1 win against Sittingbourne's Bradley Haxell and will compete in Kent at the semi-final stage next weekend.

Harry Sugars gave his all and was unlucky to miss out in a tough contest against Guildford southpaw Mark Smith.

Most of Barnstaple's top boxers will be in action in the club's next show at Petroc on February 27. To order tickets call Sarah Simpson on 01271 345638.