Commonwealth Games prospect Valerian Spicer produced the best home performance of the night as Islington BC lost out in their match with Olympic BC (Galway).

Spicer, who will box for Dominica at the Games later this year, always looked likely to stop the gutsy Debbie O’Reilly and finally finished the job with a vicious body shot in the fourth round.

After a follow-up volley of punches, the referee halted proceedings, but Spicer was one of only three Islington winners as the experienced visitors triumphed 6-3 at the Boston Dome, Tufnell Park.

The other victories came from Alfie Andrews – who always looked one step ahead of Olympic’s James Cleary as he secured a points decision – and Malachi Borrell.

Borrell’s greater strength and desire made the difference as he outworked and outfought Olympic’s Tony McDonagh to take a deserved unanimous verdict.

Islington youngster Kian Shay-Chettry, in only his second competitive bout, fought bravely and never gave up despite losing to James Delaney on a unanimous decision.

Ernie Swinhoe was wisely retired by his corner midway through the second round of his contest against a strong opponent, PJ Ward, while Darren Ward (no relation) pushed Olympic’s Brandon Mongan hard before dropping a points decision.

Islington crowd favourite Paddy McCarthy applied steady, consistent pressure in his bout with Owen McCarthy, but the Olympic boxer’s more accurate work was enough to earn him a unanimous decision.

Despite sustaining an early injury to his right hand, Safi Abdullah battled on bravely and took the experienced Frankie Cleary the distance before a unanimous decision went against him.

In the best contest of the night, Islington’s Jeff Ofori was edged out on an extremely tight split decision against Olympic’s Pat Mongan.

Ofori – who had impressed on his debut for the London team in Munich the previous week – worked hard in a fight that ebbed and flowed, but the majority verdict went in his opponent’s favour.

Islington also fielded three guest boxers, including Lion ABC’s national semi-finalist Louis Isaacs, but the trio were all defeated by opponents from the Irish club.

Middleweight Reece Shagourie, who reached the England Elite Boxing Championship semi-finals last month, has been selected to take part in an assessment for the GB development squad in June.

Islington’s Jack Rowe made good use of his jab to defeat J Draper (Bletchley) on points at the Hockwell Ring ABC show in Luton.

On the same show, middleweight Kenyon Reid was beaten on a split decision by Anthony Johnson (South Oxhey), while Islington youngster Lucy Turner produced a composed performance in her skills contest with Krystal Gordon (Hockwell Ring).