Birtley five show they have Class

BIRTLEY have five boxers in the NABGC Championship finals which are split over three days – the Class D finals are at Gorton Monastery in Manchester on Thursday, Class C at Bridlington CYP Sports Centre the following night and Class A and B finals at the same venue on Saturday.

Lee Rodgers, Shaun Huddart, Owen Rees and Dan Howard all won through their semi-finals at the Reddich Sports Hall in Birmingham, while Brandon Morrison received a bye.

Rodgers defeated E Hussain (Wellington) 4-1 in Class A at 44kg.

Birtley head coach Graeme Rutherford said: “Rodgers had lost in the semi-finals last year to Hussain so this was a big fight for him.

“However, he showed why he is rated such a talent in the first round with looping right hands while using good footwork to evade Hussain.”

Huddart gained a unanimous victory over E Goddard (Pinewood Star) in his 48kg semi.

Rutherford added: “This was a great display by Shaun who reached the junior finals last year.

“He produced a classy display, showing good shots to head and body which forced his opponent to take a count in the second.”

Rees against Owen Cooper of Worcester City in Class C at 69kg was a fight everyone was waiting to see.

Toward stormed through to the 75kg Class C final, overpowering D Steele (Golden Gloves). ■■BIRTLEY are holding their annual charity night on Saturday (7.00).

The proceeds will go to Willowburn Hospice for cancer patients to spend their final days with their families. Birtley have raised £20,881.69 for local charities over the last six years.