Shropshire duo through in England Schoolboys

Donnington Boxing Club's Davies and Ludlow's Smith were one of five Shropshire representatives competing in the pre-quarter finals on Sunday.

But Donnington pair Bradley Thompson and John Price, along with Wellington Boxing Academy's Hamza Hussain, went out at the Bromford Firs Community Centre in Birmingham.

In the 'minors,' for children born in 2002, Davies took a split decision points win at 32.5kg against Rhys Deenan, of Lambton Street in Sunderland.

Davies got busy and kept the pressure on from the opening bell against an awkward southpaw, who counter punched for offence.

Deenan took a standing eight-count in the last 10 seconds of the fight after he was tagged by a right hook, but he made it to the final bell.

In Class A, for boxers born in 2001, Bradley Thompson stepped through the ropes for his 29.5kg against Kane Holliday, from the famed Birtley Boys Boxing Club.

Thompson gave up size to his opponent and went for big shots and won the first round, but high work-rate saw him fade after that as he was beaten unanimously.

In Class B, for fighters born in 2000, Price lost out to Newbiggin's Owen Rees at 50kg by the same verdict, after initially countering his opponent before fatigue caused his hands to continuously drop.

Hussain also lost unanimously against another Birtley prospect in Jack Cockburn at 43k despite catching him with some heavy punches, but the slick southpaw dodged out of further trouble to win.

Ludlow's Terry Smith boxed in the competition for the first time at 59kg and did well to see off Liam Bousfield, from Wellington in Northumberland, unanimously.

Aaron Sutherland and Carlos Stewart progressed through byes at 46kg and 52kg respectively in the minors for Donnington.