Repton have set a new club record after sending a magnificent seven boxers through to the junior ABA finals

By LEN WHALEY

REPTON have set a new club record after sending a magnificent seven boxers through to next weekend's Royal Navy-sponsored junior ABA finals in Liverpool.

The Bethnal Green club produced a stunning display in the Southern Area semi-finals at Hayes on Sunday as Brett Beadon, Scott McNess, George O'Mahoney and Tom Baker all advanced to the national finals.

Another trio of Repton boxers, Chris Ali, Mo Raza and Luuqman Patel, have been given byes to the finals, giving the club a record number of finalists.

O'Mahoney upset the odds in style to give Repton their first Southern Area champion as he produced a winning display against strongly fancied Johnny Saunders, from Kent's St Mary's BC.

After an even first round, O'Mahoney stepped up the pace, slamming home solid punches to the head and body to take a decisive lead from which Saunders proved unable to recover as the Repton fighter won the decision.

Beadon was also a points winner after a strong third-round display earned the verdict in a tight tussle with St Mary's opponent Jack Mains.

McNess took little more than a minute to end the semi-final hopes of Stacey BC's Lloyd Johnson, who took a standing count after a blistering start from the Repton youngster.

But McNess continued to land effective shots and the referee called a halt midway through the opening round.

Baker was also a clear winner against Guildford rival Lewis Edwards as the Repton fighter built a clear lead to make sure of his final place.

The club's seniors also enjoyed a successful week after recording a 5-4 team triumph over a strong Belfast Dockers squad on Friday night.

Mike Channing took a deserved points success against Ray Flanagan, while Repton's strong middleweight Frank Buglioni fought back from a poor opening round to claim the verdict against tough rival Chris Coyle.

Joe Baker's meeting with Jim McStorrie produced some tough exchanges before the Repton boxer took the decision, while Gavin Curragh's last-round assault clinched a close verdict over Jimmy Flanagan.

Repton secured the overall triumph when Philip Bowers' clash with Jack McDonagh ended when the Belfast boxer suffered a cut eye.