WARRINGTON Amateur Boxing Club has been highly active and members have been doing very well so far this season.

Andy Bretherton, Mark Jones, Frank Collins, Paul Hewitt and Jamie Lee have all turned in winning performances during recent weeks.

Nick Hill is the reigning Welsh schoolboy national champion while Richard Llewellyn and Anthony Hamett found the know how of national champions a little too much for them in the West Lancashire Divisional finals.

David Collins, in only his sixth contest, lost a majority decision to B. Rose of BVM Naze in the North West Counties Schools' final. Rose, the reigning champion, had just a little too much experience for Collins, who appears to be one for the future.

Mark Bebbington won his third North West Schools' title and he boxes in the national semi-finals at Bradford on March 7.

Hopefully it will be a more successful visit to the Karmand Centre than the last time Mark appeared there. As the NWC Boys Club champion he lost a decision in the quarter-finals of the NABC championships. Good judges predict a bright future for Mark.

Glyn Turner was forced to withdraw from the ABA championships because of a hand injury that has necessitated surgery.

It is much the same story for light middleweight prospect Matt Scapens who has been hindered by knee surgery and like Glynn faces a lengthy absence from the ring.

Meanwhile, Brian Sharples won the West Lancashire Division super heavyweight novices title with a third round win over Mark Buckner of St. Helens. He goes on to box at the north west stage in April.

Stuart 'Digger' Bamford continues on his path to honours. In the NABC championships an eye injury cost him dearly. Having beaten quality opposition on his way to a third NWC title he seemed well on his way to victory over M. Doherty of Preston when misfortune struck in the last round.

Bamford took a well earned rest before representing the NWC under 19s against Scotland u19s at Blackpool. He was impressive in gaining the decision over Martin Black of Motherwell and was the only victor against the Scots.

As West Lancashire youth champion Bamford will be boxing for a fourth NWC title in March.

This is on the back of a terrific contest against K. Clifford of Leinster a week ago in Wexford, Ireland. On a night of highly competitive and quality boxing, Bamford found himself on the wrong end of a decision.

Coach Mike Rowan says: "No complaints. Stuart is a natural featherweight and boxed a lightweight. The crowd gave him a terrific reception as after all Clifford is the Irish champion and has immense experience. It's all a learning process that can only augur well for Stuart's future."

Bamford represented the division against Leinster and all at Warrington hope he will get an England u19 call up next.

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