ENGLAND EDGED OUT AS DETERMINED WELSH TEAM BATTLES TO VICTORY

Images: Mkuu Amani

It wasn’t to be for England’s amateur boxing team who were narrowly defeated by a battling Welsh contingent at the Premier Suite in Cannock on Sunday.

Team England, headed by Lead coach Amanda Coulson, began the contest brightly taking the first win by a unanimous decision. However, the Welsh squad responded in dramatic fashion notching up five straight wins that pushed Wales into a 5-1 lead.

England bounced back winning five of the six bouts that followed.

World famous Boxing Announcer Craig Stephen was joined by 5x National Champion, 3x European champion and AIBIA World Champion Gemma Richardson.

As the duel reached its final stages and headed towards what looked like being a tense and exciting climax the packed house was in full voice with both home and away support urging their boxers on.

A split decision in favour of Saad Abdulla (left) after a gallant effort by Harris Brown

The next two bouts saw both squads grab a win each and after 14 bouts the score stood at 7-7 with just one bout remaining.

However, it was the hosts who were edged out when Helen Jones beat England’s Alexandra Richards by unanimous decision, sealing the Welsh victory.

The full results were as follows:

John Murphy (left) watches as Alby Hill hits the canvas

England’s Macy Gallone (right) ducks to avoid a right hook from Zoe Andrews.

Toe to toe.
Romeo Costa (left) and Nelson Birchall at close quarters.

Body Shot.
Alexandra Richards takes a hit from Helen Jones

The England squad was represented by boxers from across the nation with five members hailing from the capital city. Alongside the Londoners (Luke Rodda, James Fernley, Finley James, Billy Adams and Alexandra Richards) were also two boxers from the Eastern Counties (Alby Hill, Patrick Doherty), three from the North West (Nelson Birchall, Frank Vary, Jake Abrol), two representing Tyne Tees and Wear (Callum Drinkald, Macy Gallone) with the remaining spots occupied by fighters from Home Counties (Michael Smith), Kirkby, Merseyside & Cheshire (Harris Brown) and The Midlands (Hamza Uddin).

Team England will return to the Cannock venue twice more before the end of the year.

On Saturday 23rd November The Premier Suite will host England v Ireland followed by England v Scotland on Thursday 28th November.

For more details contact The Premier Suite on: 01543 572092