Big hits!

Apr 28 2005 By Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

BOXING: THERE was delight for the town's clubs this week as both Vauxhall Motors ABC and Golden Star ABC tasted success.

Vauxhall's Matty Fagan reached the National semi-final of the Junior ABA Championships with a 12-8 points win over Stevenage's Luke Grey at Everton Park on Friday.

Coach Peter Phelan said: 'Grey was a very clever southpaw and good counter puncher and, after the first round, Matty was 3-0 down. We realised that Grey wasn't punching when he was going backwards so we told Matty to go at him. By the end of the second we were 8-7 up and it was a case of getting our tactics correct.'

Competing in the 57kg section, Matty will now face Suffolk's Charles Poxton in Brentwood, Essex, on Saturday, May 7.

Team-mate Paul Butler, in the 48kg and under division, bowed out of the competition with a 7-4 points defeat to Charles Williamson of Luton's Farley ABC.

Phelan said: 'Williamson was last year's schoolboy champion and showed that extra bit of strength. We lost the first round 3-0 but won the second 3-1. However, Paul rushed into the third, went looking for it too much and was caught a couple of times.'

Meanwhile, both clubs enjoyed competing in the Long Lane ABC's dinner show at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, on Friday.

Tony Lloyd of Vauxhall won on points against K Ventura of Mash Lane, while there was a double success for Golden Star ABC.

Top of the bill, Rob Yandell (75kg) survived a standing eight count to overcome A Brocklebank of Southport Elite in a bout that brought the house down, while Sam Gillis (80kg) stopped opponent E Moran of Wavertree in the first round.

Coach Carl Teasdale said: 'Rob's contest was a tremendous battle while Sam's dominance really surprised me in a good way.

'We also had John Fry and Matty Beaton waiting in the wings but their opponents were too light. We're hoping to have a big squad travelling to a show in Warrington on May 7 and this proves that the Golden Star is back on its feet.'