Fantastic four ready for title tilt

THE FANTASTIC four go for their shot at national glory today.

A quartet of our communities’ boxers have made it through to the final of the English Schools’ Championships.

It’s a phenomenal effort from the talents to progress to their bid at taking the title in Lincolnshire.

Moneyfields, Team Wiseman and Heart of Portsmouth (HOP) are all sending boxers into action.

Moneys lead the charge with Tayler Sutton and Jay Cooper aiming to make their mark.

That’s after Kyle Bateson’s brave battle with top Repton boxer Barney Docherty came up just short at 46kg in Class B.

Cooper faces Hunslet’s Ellis Price at 41.5kg in Class A after coming out victorious against The Ring’s Jason Smith.

Sutton received a walkover to the final but now faces the challenge of Forest Hall’s Rhys Barber at 54kg in the minors.

Moneys coach, Colin Hooker, backed both boxers to rise to the occasion.

He said: ‘Kyle got beat by a top kid but kept plugging away and we’re pleased with how he boxed.

‘It’s hard to believe he’s the same kid who lost his first six bouts, but kept battling and has got his reward.

‘Jay is improving all the time. The beauty of him is how he adapts to what he has in front of him.

‘Tayler has worked hard and the boys have both got a good attitude.

‘They both are basically getting better and better all the time and developing.

‘They won’t be overawed and will show what they can do.’

HOP have Lloyd Farrington as their representative in the final.

That’s after Farrington got the better of Pinewood’s Hassan Nadeem at 38.5kg in Class A.

Farrington boxed to instruction and showed impressive timing to get the decision over his opponent.

He now has a huge test against last year’s champ, Transport’s Ellis Grant at 38.5k, but is ready to rise to the challenge.

Ollie Fenton could count himself unfortunate to drop a split decision to Roberto Lacourt at 35.5kg in Class B.

Sonny Driscoll showed his spirit against Repton’s Charlie Hickford at 37kg in Class B but saw the decision go the other way.

HOP head coach, Q Shillingford believes Farrington has a tricky assignment and now has nothing to lose in the final.

He said: ‘Ollie’s fight could easily have gone for him. The opponent himself said that.

‘Sonny’s was a brave attempt. He was in with a good boy from Repton.

‘This year wasn’t his year but he’ll come back stronger.

‘Lloyd deserved to get through and has never been in this position before.

‘His opponent has won 16 out of 17, but we have done our homework.

‘David Johnston has been spending time with Lloyd and all the boys doing extra padwork and that work is showing.

‘Lloyd now has nothing to lose and everything to gain. The pressure is all on the other kid.’

Wiseman’s Frankie Stanley overcame Repton’s Alfie Gaskin to set up his final date with Spennymoor’s Tyler Jaques at 44.5kg in Class A.

Coach Daron Wiseman said: ‘The club is flying.

‘We’ve won 19 bouts and lost two.

‘Frankie has won his last 10 bouts, too.

‘He’s a quiet lad but won’t be fazed and can deal with pressure. He’s got the champion but goes in with confidence.’