Busy pair capture titles

Boxing

Ashford boxers Jack Ewbank and Jez Achong both won Kent Novice Development Championship titles at Rumbles Academy in Sittingbourne on Saturday.

Achong celebrated appearing in his first final with a unanimous points victory over Alex Cole, of Creekside ABC, Deptford, in the 75kg category, while defending 69k champion Ewbank retained his title, beating Matthew Tasker, of Tunbridge Wells ABC, in similar fashion.

Achong went in hard and strong from the first bell, up against a tough and durable opponent, who made him work in every round, producing solid left hooks in their exchanges.

Encouraged to use his jab more from the end of the first round by coach Dennis Jarvis, Achong dug deep, both boxers battling to the final bell with Achong winning the decision from the judges.

Ewbank gave away height and reach advantage to Tasker but boxed effectively throughout all three rounds, both offensively and defensively.

The success capped a busy weekend, both boxers having qualified the previous evening at the Meridian Centre at Peacehaven in East Sussex.

Achong beat Max Olive, of Canterbury ABC, courtesy of a second round technical knockout, having forced his opponent to take two standing counts earlier in the fight. Ewbank was up against another Canterbury man, Rohullah Abasi, winning with a split decision.

He led after the first round, worked well in the second, landing some nice left hooks, before pushing hard in the last to both head and body with good effect.

Littlestone Warren Golf Club charity day organiser Dave Howe, with men’s captain Mark Purkiss and John Harman

Jack Ewbank, second left, and Jez Achong, with coaches Andy Wilford, left and Dennis Jarvis

Lynne Gray, right, receives her award from Marlene Wander, chairman of Kent Netball