JUSTIN TIME

Andy Whittle watches Newell survive an early knockdown to salvage draw

SEAHAM’S Jordan Ellison was forced to settle for a 57-57 share at the culmination of his six against Justin Newell who had to haul himself back into contention having been floored in the dying seconds of the opener.

Down from a short hook, Justin rose from his knees to beat Andy Brook’s count by a fraction of a second and while he was forced to weather another worrying spell as the half-way point approached he did just about enough to nick the closing two rounds.

Area champion Jimmy First of Brighouse stayed busy against experienced Derbyshire’s

Lee Connelly and took the 59-56 decision of Mr Brook. Lee gave a good account of himself in the early rounds but tired late on and, increasingly bested, was happy to hear the final bell.

The same official had Pontefract’s Kurt Jackson a shut-out winner at the conclusion of a watchable four against Sheffield’s Karl Sampson and scored increasingly in control Sheffielder Joe Jenkins a 39-37 winner over Russian Vladimir Fleischhauer.

Manchester’s Darren Sarginson turned in cards reading 40-36 in three of the bouts he officiated, the first of which saw Leeds new start Jamie Wright jab his way to victory against Bognor’s still winless Carl Turney.

Other beneficiaries of Mr Sarginson’s generosity were Bradford’s Czech-born cruiser Tomas Ivachov who banked a ninth straight win in a one-sided encounter against Middleton’s Darryl Sharp and one-bout Leeds novice Josh Wisher who did likewise against Padiham’s Seamus Devlin.

Liverpool’s Ricky Starkey attracted the ire of the same official early in his bout against

Conner Lee Doherty, a point being docked for a couple of rule transgressions. Doherty, cut on the left eyebrow when heads clashed in the second, finished a 40-35 winner.