YM sides continue warm-up
East Kilbride YM experienced mixed fortunes during their latest pre-season friendlies over the past week.
A Connor McCann hat-trick and goals from Jordan Fletcher, David Cameron, Mikey Carroll and Scott Campbell gave them a convincing 7-1 victory against Newshot Amateurs last midweek.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, YM lost a thrilling match 3-2 to Blantyre RGM.
Cammy McCulloch gave YM a first half lead, scoring from David Cameron’s excellent cross field ball, and they went into the break in front.
In the second half, amidst all the substitutions, RGM scored two goals in a minute and although Mikey Carroll scored a late equaliser for YM, they succumbed to another late goal.
This Saturday YM’s Caley side host Bearsden in a friendly at Bent Road, Hamilton, kick off 3pm, while the GGPL side travel to play Arthurlie Amateurs. As well as the Caledonian and Greater Glasgow Premier sides, YM have under-19 and under-21 teams this season and any new players will be welcome.
In other club news, tickets are available for their Sportsman’s Dinner at the Ballerup Hall on Saturday, September 1. The irrepressible Peter Martin will chair the event with ex-referee Willie Young giving a humorous account of his time in the game. Jim“Buller”Reid completes the line-up. For more details contact Graeme Robertson on 07557 507713. A West Mains boxing sensation is out to make her mark in the sport and become her club’s first British female champion.
Chloe Bodwick, who fights for O’Neill’s Boxing Club in Cambuslang, will represent Scotland at the 2018 GB Three Nations Championships in Cardiff this week, starting July 27.
The 14 year-old is determined to go one better than she did last year after an injury to the eye in the final ended her hopes of claiming the title.
And with the help from her coaches and clubmates, Bodwick insists she is more than prepared for whoever comes her way.
She said: “I can’t wait to get to Cardiff. I am so excited to be selected to represent my country again.
“I really want to make up for last year when I lost out on the gold because of a freak injury in the final.
“I don’t know who I’m fighting yet but I am ready and really confident that I can win the British title this time.
“I have been training hard with the coaches and my team mates at Boxing Scotland and with my club coaches at O’Neils. It’s been exhausting sometimes but I enjoy the hard work.
“The older boys at the club have been brilliant, giving me great advice and some great sparring sessions. I’m lucky that I get to train with them because most of them have fought for Scotland and are champions too.”
Bodwick took up boxing in October 2015, in honour of her late grandfather, who was also a boxer. She trained hard to get fitter, stronger and healthier, displaying a natural ability for the sport.
And in January 2016 she joined O’Neil’s in Westburn, where coaches Brian Murphy and Andy Clayton quickly recognised her talent. They set about arranging exhibition matches and putting her forward for competitions.
Bodwick has suffered setbacks this season due to a lack of boxers in her 52kg weight category.
But the youngster reckons it may work in her favour.
“It seems like it’s been a long season because I haven’t had as much competition as I’d have liked,” Chloe continued. “But I’ve enjoyed the extra training and I feel fitter than I’ve ever been.
“I think that having less fights this year has let me work on improving my ring skills and building up my stamina.”