Boxing: Triple blow for local boxers

QUEENSFERRY lightweight boxer Lewis Benson was one of three local fighters who crashed out of the Scottish Amateur Championships at the semi-final stage in Aberdeen last night.

Benson lost 15-8 on points to Paisley-based British Army boxer Shaun Dick and Queensferry club coach Mark Geraghty admitted: "We have no complaints.

"Lewis couldn't capitalise on his height and reach advantages against Dick, who was a very tough opponent and merited his win."

Queensferry welterweight Gary Collins was outfought by Hillpark's Ryan Hamilton and was stopped in the second round after a total of three standing counts.

Another welterweight, Lochend's Tommy Philbin, lost only narrowly, 5-4 on points to Stirling's George Thomson.

And Lochend coach Terry McCormack was adamant that the bout could have gone either way.

He said: "Philbin coped well with Thomson's non-stop pressure and did enough, I thought, to win."

Completing a miserable night for eastern boxers Dunfermline southpaw lightweight Calum Susans lost 9-3 in his semi-final to Barrhead's Ryan Smith.

QUEENSFERRY bantamweight Dave Cowan is poised to turn pro with Glasgow promoter Tommy Gilmour, the boxer has confirmed. Cowan will box at the newly-introduced super-flyweight division.