HARWICH Boxing Club hosted their annual winter open show at the Park Pavilion, providing 15 quality contests.

Leading the way for the hosts was recently-crowned national development champion Kilian Hardy in his pairing with Mo Said, from the Fitzroy Lodge Club in London.

Nineteen-year-old Hardy had to jump up from his natural weight division to ensure he boxed and it was clear from the off Said was physically the bigger of the two.

Hardy picked his shots well in the opening two sessions.

However, he became embroiled in heavy exchanges on the ropes that excited the crowd.

A disciplined last three-minute round saw Hardy keep his opponent at distance as he used extra experience to take a unanimous yet close points decision.

Popular light heavyweight Conor Harvey faced Daniel Achong, from Ashford ABC, and it was his opponent who took the first round with a number of heavy shots finding the mark.

The Harwich boxer responded well in the second, scoring with fast combinations to the head and body of the man from Kent.

With momentum in his favour and confidence rising, Harvey let his hands go effectively in the deciding round to take another unanimous yet close points decision for a Harwich boxer.

Thirteen-year-old Peter Foster returned to the ring after an 11-month absence but didn’t show any signs of ring rust as bossed affairs in the main against Islington's Rishon John.

A solid last round ensured Foster's hand was raised at the bell for a unanimous points win.

Fellow 13-year-old Ethan Bird made his debut against Brandon Gray, from Stallards ABC in Surrey.

Bird never took a step backwards as his marauding style limited Gray to get into his boxing stride.

At the end of three rounds, Bird’s determined start to his chosen sport saw him take a unanimous points decision.

Kobe Ayling looked to score his second win in eight days, having won his debut in Ipswich the previous week.

Austin Bristow, from Ashford ABC, provided stern opposition, yet Ayling boxed to orders, pacing himself well and displaying a nice array of shots for a relative newcomer en route to another unanimous points win.

Alas, the contest saw 14-year-old Ayling damage his thumb which will now be in plaster for the next six weeks.

Sixteen-year-old debutant Owen Priestnall conceded height and reach to Nemesis ABC puncher George Dennington.

The 16-year-old gave a spirited performance with neat right hands always keeping him in the hunt, before eventually succumbing to a points defeat.

Opening the show saw neat southpaw Tristan Hanney engage in a no decision skills bout with Ben Frankham, of Maidstone ABC.

Both schoolboys gave a good demonstration of the skills needed to succeed at boxing and gained vital experience in doing so.

Head coach Martin Webb commented afterwards: "I've got to be happy with five wins from six from our lads at another successful show in town.

"Kilian Hardy continues his stellar season and his humble personality and consistent commitment are a great example to the younger members in the club on how to succeed in such a tough sport.

"It was also good to see Conor Harvey battle out another win and remain unbeaten in four and to finally see young Peter Foster get some ring action after struggling to find him contests was also good, more so as he won.

"I cannot let the moment pass without a big thank you to our main sponsors for the Park Pavilion show - DA Cant, Rotary Club of Harwich and Dovercourt and Shaun Hanney Ltd.

"A massive thanks to all the behind-the-scenes, unpaid volunteers who ensure these events happen.

"Moving forwards, the boxers will need to stay in shape over Christmas as we next promote on January 24 at the Colchester United stadium, when it's anticipated a number of the squad will compete."