HALSTEAD Boxing Club head coach George Cook sang the praises of the home fighters as their annual Open Summer Show proved a roaring success.

A total of 18 bouts all went the distance much to the delight of a good-sized crowd at Earls Colne Recreation Club.

Halstead achieved four victories out of its boxers' seven bouts during the event, which also included six skills bouts, with each fighter receiving rapturous applause from the crowd after showing good all round skills and gaining valuable experience.

Cook said: “It was a memorable afternoon for the Halstead amateur boxers.

"We spend so much time of the year on the road so it’s nice to come home and showcase our team’s skills to the local community

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the coaches and volunteers at the club for making this fabulous show a day to remember and I'd like to congratulate competition secretary, Richard Groves, on doing a fine job with matching up all the bouts perfectly.

"I was particularly pleased with our senior heavyweight Joe Bonito and junior Zak Lawson.

"Joe took on Alex Sharman from Neasden ABC and his accuracy of shots and well-timed combinations awarded him a split decision and the best bout of the afternoon, while Zak set a terrific pace in his bout with Johnny Delaney of Rayne ABC.

"He is 15 and scored with single well-placed shots that switched from head to body.

"He boxed to orders in every round, keeping out of trouble to make his way to a popular unanimous points decision.

"Middleweight Jason Bradley took on the challenge of Hanwell’s Sean Earls and it was Jason’s rapier-like jab that proved the difference as he nicked points throughout the contest and took the spoils on a split decision.

"Last up for Halstead was senior James Blore against Alex Ananivi from Neasden ABC and he also gave us a home victory.

"Little separated the two light middleweights with each in turn scoring well and displaying hard solid punches.

"Neither of them conceded ground at close quarter in the end of this tug-of-war bout, but it was James who took a split points decision."

Halstead’s losers on the day were senior middleweight Jay Snaith, who lost a hard-fought contest against Tyler McTernan of Fairbairn ABC.

Snaith, who has had nine months out due to work commitments, put in a strong performance but McTernan was very fit and moved in and out of range as he landed eye-catching counter punches.

Although Snaith stayed competitive throughout, McTernan’s class shone through and claimed a unanimous points win.

Junior Joshua Legrove lost on a unanimous points decision to Ellis Steward of Hockwell Ring ABC in a toughly-contested bout, while Halstead schoolboy Frasier Hughes lost on a split decision against Mick McDonagan of Fisher ABC.

Halstead skills bouts: Henry Buckley v Layton Cheesman (West Hull); Luke Smee v Donie Davis (Canvey ABC); Riley Jones v Alex Mai (Rayne ABC); Felix Theobold v Daniel Delaney (Small Holding, London); Joseph Wisemanv Akash Bhaneal (Barking); Luis Berane v Donell Campbell (Fisher ABC).

Other bouts: Scott McDonagh (Hanwell) lost to Ali Hussain (Hockwell Ring); Ajay Desmond-Stockford (Blackbird Leys) beat Blake Marshall (Colchester); Alfie Giles (Rayne) lost to Ralph Cohen (Canvey); Joseph Gaul (Blackbird Leys) lost to Logan Richardson (West Hull); Louie Bailey (Tollen Smallholdings) lost to Nathan Jackson (West Hull).