Carlisle Villa ABC continue to keep their boxers busy after attending another midweek show last Thursday.

They took a long trip down to Northwich to take part on New Era ABC at the annual show at Witton Albion FC social club.

Jonnie Simpson, who was making his debut for the Villa, was the only Carlisle boxer matched on the 14-bout card against local lad Scott Ravenscroft at 90kgs.

Jonnie took it all in his stride and never let the occasion get to him, even when he saw his opponent for the first time who looked a formidable sight at the weigh-in at six foot, four.

A good pre-bout brief from the referee prior to the first bell left Jonnie and his opponent in no doubt that he would not tolerate any careless head movement due to the difference in size of the boxers.

Jonnie took the instructions on board but had to get close to Ravenscroft to land anything due to the reach advantage the home boxer had.

He was straight on the front foot, working in close but Ravenscroft didn’t want to fight close up and held on until the referee separated the boxers. Jonnie was warned about his head but needed to stay close and take the reach advantage away from the towering local lad.

A crashing right uppercut caught Jonnie flush on the chin as he came in low, a half step back was all that was required to regain composure and he was back on the front foot, pushing Ravenscroft back with strong right crosses and swinging left hooks .

Just as a scrappy first round was coming to a close, Jonnie caught the South Cheshire giant with a right cross which caused his legs to buckle but there was insufficient time to follow up as the bell sounded to end the round.

Jonnie was looking fresh in the interval and was ready to go after a quick chat with coach Jimmy Brennan who instructed much of the same and let the right hand go when in distance.

Ravenscroft came out for the second and tried to stay centre of the ring and utilise his long jab but Jonnie didn’t allow this to happen and, once again, he pressed forward but was caught with another right uppercut.

His solid chin held up again though and, without a backward step, countered with a looping right hand which sent the big lad on to the ropes and the referee jumped in to issue a standing eight count.

Jonnie was eager to get at Ravenscroft as soon as the referee allowed the action to continue and had the local support quiet as he had their boxer trapped in the corner.

Another solid right, landed to the head, saw the referee proceed to issue another standing eight. But, having reached four and with Ravenscroft still slumped on the ropes and in no position to continue, the ref called a halt to the bout.

A jubilant Jonnie celebrated with his corner before his hand was raised for the first win of his career.

Jonnie will be in action again alongside a number of other Villa boxers on Kendal ABC open show at Kendal Town Hall tomorrow.