Duo lose in junior ABA semi-finals

The second day of the junior ABA semi-finals saw James Beech of Walsall's Wildstar ABC and Samuel Eggington of Warley ABC both slip to defeats.

In the 57kg Class 6 semi at at Havercroft, Beech went down to a 19-12 defeat at the hands of southpaw Jack Catterall of Leigh ABC.

But, while the Lancashire teenager had his arm raised at the close of proceedings, it was only in the final round that his victory was guaranteed, the early rounds had proved closer and the scores were tied at 6-6 at the end of the first session.

In the 75kg Class 6 semi Warley's Eggington was beaten by John Newell of Manchester's Shannon and Ancoats ABC, who ran out a 15-10 winner.

The taller switch-hitting Newell had opened with a looping right hook to the head while Eggington opted to work to the body.

It was the Mancunian, scoring with the more eye-catching single shots who opened up a lead, a lead which prompted the Warley puncher's corner to inform their man in no uncertain terms prior to the closing round that he needed a knock down just to get a draw.

But, despite Eggington letting plenty go in a busy fourth session, Newell's lead proved to great to overcome.

There will be a local representative in the finals, though, after Joshua Stokes of Wodensborough ABC progressed when his opponent in the 67kg Class 6, Leigh's Marcus Morrison, failed to make the required weight.

Also through to the finals in Rochester later this month thanks to a walkover is Dale Doody of Wednesbury ABC, who will contest the 48kg Class 6 final.