BURNLEY Mechanics Theatre played host to Sandygate Amateur Boxing Club’s first home show of the season with a sell-out crowd.

And the popular Burnley club started the show with the ‘big-guns’ first.

Cherry Fold pupil Stuart ‘Rocket’ Reilly, 10, opened the show against John Topham (Littleborough ABC) in a skills bout matched at 30kg.

The three by one minute round non decision bout gives novice boxers the chance to show case their skills under England Boxing (ABA) rules.

Charly Vassilev, 10, faced Tommy Varey (Love ABC) in a real thriller which saw Vassilev’s aggressive style coming to the fore in there skills.

Holy Trinity year six pupil Dalton Stoiles, 11, competed against Hasan Faqir (Blackburn ABC) in a one-sided affair which the impressive Stoiles dominated.

Cliviger Primary Pupil Troy Richmond, 10, put in such a great display of boxing against Alan Barnes (Border City ABC) that it earned the Cliviger boxer the mantle of boxer-of-the-night.

And Sandygate’s 68kg female Lucy Halstead,15, totally overwhelmed Alice Bateson (Preston ABC) with the St Christopher’s Year 11 pupil’s hight and strength very apparent.

Ending the skills contests was Unity’s Sam Walsh, 14, who’s opponent weighed in 3kg too heavy so a skills bout was arranged so both boys got time in the squared circle facing Donny Turnbell (Border City).

The first competitive contest of the evening saw Blessed Trinity Year Eight pupil Bram Richmond, 12, box Carl Daniels (Fox ABC) at 41kg for the duration of three by one-and-a-half minute rounds.

The first saw the savvy Richmond rigid right’s penetrate the tight guard of the impressive Daniels, controlling the ring well, the second and third was a real tear up with both boys not letting up, Judges gave the Burnley club a great winning start with Cliviger’s Richmond collecting a unanimous verdict.

Unity Year Eight pupil Jaden Franklin, 13, was on the wrong end of a split decision against Aqib Afazal (Bury ABC) in a closely fought 44kg bout.

Stoop’s Estate’s North West Minor’s Champion Rio Lynch, 12, got the home club back to winning ways with a one sided controlled display against John Woodhall (Peoples ABC) at 41kg.

Ighten Hill’s Joe Crawford, 13, was matched against Zain Ahmed (Bury ABC) with both boys being NW Schoolboy Champions at different weights.

It what was a corker of a contest, the classy Crawford came out on top phasing his attacks connecting head to body well earning the hot prospect a unanimous rout announced by the club’s MC Jason Tansey.

Hameldon’s Reiko Rickwood, 13, narrowly lost on a split verdict against Yorkshire’s Alfie Dixon (Burmatoft ABC) in a great little contest.

Blessed Trinity Year 10 pupil NW Champion James Danson, 15, faced Manchurian Dionte Simmonds (Middleton ABC) in a 60kg bout.

Danson’s aggressive come forward style lifted the crowd with his never-give-up bullish nature.

The Burnley boy never took a step back, rolling under the lead and connecting to the body, and it was to no-ones surprise ringside when the Sandygate hand was raised the conqueror unanimously. Ending the nights entertainment was Sandygate North West 50kg champion Ryan Haythornthwaite, 15, who was up against Harrison Hardy (Stockport ABC) and it was a fitting finale to proceedings.

Haythornthwaite took the first with Hardy taking the second so it was all on the third.

The Burnley boxer didn’t disappoint throwing everything, constantly leading of a double jab then switching to body with hooks earning a perfect end to the night with another unanimous decision.

The Registered Charity Club thanked all its benefactors for helping create another excellent show.

If anyone would like to join the impressive stable details can be found on www.sandygateabc.com