Hennon’s ready to bounce back
Rugby Union Boxing Basketball
There was plenty of local interest at the 2016 Kent RFU Volunteer Awards. Maidstone’s Bob Hayton collected the President’s Award and was described as ‘Mr Maidstone’. Mr Hayton juggles press and media responsibilities with sponsorship and advertising duties and his nomination form said: “One often hears that noone in a club is irreplaceable but it would take 10 people to replace our candidate.” Girls volunteer-of-the-year was Helen Relf, of Aylesford Bulls. Her club’s citation described Ms Relf as “simply amazing” and went to say that she works tirelessly for the good of the girls and shows great compassion. Tonya Williams (Sevenoaks) was among the runners-up. In the women’s volunteer category, Jayne Ashdown-Denny (Aylesford) and Vanessa Morgan (Tun Wells) were runners-up to Canterbury’s Claire Bernthal. Former England captain and Folkestone player Catherine Spencer handed out the prizes. She said: “If it was not for the volunteers, no way would I have played for England. The coaches were brilliant, they were my knowledge source.” Maidstone boxer George Hennon is back in the ring on July 1 for his fifth professional bout.
The 21-year-old welterweight takes on Plymouth’s Ross Roberts, 33, over four rounds at Grays Civic Hall.
Hennon is feeling confident despite suffering his first pro defeat last time out against Scotland’s unbeaten Sam Hall.
“The last fight helped massively,” Hennon said. “I didn’t realise how much it would help but it gave me so much confidence.
“Sam Ball’s a great fighter and no doubt he can go on to big things.
“That fight put my name out there and the reaction I’ve had from people messaging me that I don’t even know has been brilliant.
“Even though I lost, it feels like a win. The main thing is that I found out is what weight I really am in that bout. He’s a big lad and got in the ring a stone heavier than me.
“For my next fight, it’ll be at welterweight but if it’s a day before weigh-in, then I’d fight at superlightweight.
“I’ve got loads of support for my next fight. I’m hearing from people that haven’t ever been before saying they want tickets.” Maidstone Warriors are looking for players to join their new women’s team. They train from 8-9pm on Tuesday in the Molly Tipples Sports Hall at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls. Female players aged 17 and over are welcome to join the team, who played a friendly against a team featuring players from the club’s under-14 and under-16 male sides. The match, which took place at the YMCA Sports Centre on Sunday, was won 70-50 by the boys.