CROSS MAKES UP FOR LOST TIME TO JOIN CLUBMATES IN SEMI-FINALS

Luke Cross made up for a year out of the ring to be part of Ashford Boxing Club’s successful winning trio to earn places in the National Development Championship semi-finals in Norwich this weekend.

He joins clubmates Jack Ewbank and Jez Achong making the trip to East Anglia, following their last-eight successes at Turners Boxing Academy at Camberley in Surrey on Saturday.

Cross (26), who gained a series of byes to reach this stage, beat Robert McIntosh of Cheltenham in the 91kg plus category, an opponent with a considerable advantage in height and weight, on a split decision.

Coach Andy Wilford said: “Luke had the biggest task, up against an opponent who was absolutely colossal, 6ft 4in tall, weighing in at 126kg, who had won eight of his 10 previous bouts and stopped everybody.”

McIntosh started behind his strong jab, looking to throw his fearsome right hand, but Cross kept his cool, bobbing and weaving, before scoring with hooks to body and head.

The second round went much the same way, McIntosh looking for the opening, with Cross countering with looping rights.

The third round saw Cross battle to the final bell, encouraged by his corner and supporters in the crowd.

Southern Counties champion Ewbank (25) beat Western Counties winner Will Butterworth (Empire ABC) in the 69kg bout on a unanimous points decision

He slipped and weaved his way through the opening round, catching Butterworth with single punches, before countering well in the second as Butterworth looked to force the pace, then dominating the third from start to finish.

Twenty-year-old Achong was another unanimous points winner, in his 75kg bout against Max Bailey (The Factory ABC) another Western Counties winner. Both boxers started strongly, exchanging hard shots throughout the opening round.

Achong used his jab more in the second, before producing some telling blows in the third, having to fight all the way, before earning the decision from the judges. Winning Ashford trio - Jack Ewbank, Luke Cross and Jez Achong With the continued warm weather, the carp angler is having an extended season with some super catches from our local waters. There are some very large bass being caught from our shores too, with some over the magic 10lb pound barrier. The sea match angler though is finding the going tough as when the competition is in daylight sizable fish are rare. This will all change with the south-westerly storms that will surely come! This is good news for all as the local beaches have suffered from the sustained East winds keeping catches low. The Martin Walters club were among the first to have a competition on the now open Folkestone pier, and found the dogfish in number. Shaun Carey was top rod with 26lbs 12oz, Jacob Gainey in second (15lb8oz) and third spot went to Mick Jago with 13lbs 11oz. The FSAA members were on Hythe’s Princess parade and Marytn Reid was top rod with 1.700kg. Lee Heaver took second (1.19kg) and Mick Young third (740g). Catches of black bream and red mullet show the sea temperature is still high. The latest Seabrook Anglers match at the same venue saw Saltwood’s John Wells need only 680g for top spot. Adam Howard, who is on a run of wins, could only manage 675g for second spot, with Julian Baussola third with 475g. The Madagascar League match on the Western parade was better for the change in wind direction with Sam Collier top rod with 17lbs. A large thornback, whiting and dabs were caught. The Cinque ports anglers were on the large lake at Beachbourgh and found the fish willing to feed. Laurie Webster won with 22lbs 5oz that included a 14lb 6oz carp. Neil West also had a 10lb carp in his net for second with 15lbs 6oz. Andy Camber caught lots of silverfish to come third with 10lbs 10oz. Webster was the series winner.