By LEN WHALEY REPTON boxer Lee Newman made a gallant bid to steal the show when a London team travelled north to face a lineup of Tyne Tees and Wear champions at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland on Saturday. The London lineup went north to face the

By LEN WHALEY

REPTON boxer Lee Newman made a gallant bid to steal the show when a London team travelled north to face a lineup of Tyne Tees and Wear champions at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland on Saturday.

The London lineup went north to face the Geordie squad in the team match part of the recently launched Ricky Hatton belt competition with the northerners earning a 5-3 win.

Crowd pleaser Newman was outgunned in an all-action duel with Glen Foot (Sunderland) but earned the cheers of the fans for his gallant display. England international choice Newman took solid shots but blasted back with his own punches before losing on points in the welterweight clash that was acclaimed as the best bout of the night.

Michael McCarthy who won the London ABA title for Repton BC at lightweight found busy East Durham rival Gary Reay too much and dropped a points verdict.

McCarthy landed long range shots but it was the aggressive Reay who impressed the judges with his two-fisted assault and took the decision.

Third Repton boxer in action on the bill, Reece Shagourie filled the cruiserweight berth in the London squad after the late withdrawal of Dagenham's Tony Conquest.

He battled all the way against Michael Watson (South Durham) and Repton supporters thought Shagourie deserved the decision but the judges gave their verdict to Watson.

Peacock BC heavyweight Wadi Camacho did not need the help of the judges for his success over Aycliffe BC rival Sean Denham whom he floored in the first minute with a powerful right.

Camacho, called up for the GB squad, continued to dominate the action and floored his rival again before the referee halted the bout in the second round.

His Canning Town clubmate Jason Summers also recorded a win for the London team when he came through a lively light-heavyweight clash against Plains Farm club opponent Liam Knight with a points win.

The London team's other success against the north-east opposition was supplied by Crown and Manor club boxer Matthew Chanda who was a convincing 14-4 points winner over Anthony Nelson (Horsley Hill) in the 57kg contest.