CIRENCESTER ABC kicked off their season with three of their boxers in action at Bristol, hosted by Broad Plain ABC.

First up for the visitors was 11-year-old Sammy Varey, boxing at 32kg against Bradley Thomas, from Penyrheol ABC, in Wales.

The first round saw the Welsh boxer come flying out of the traps, trying to keep his work at close range.

However, he found the going tough against the hit-and-move tactics of Varey, who claimed the verdict on a split decision.

Cousin Thomas Varey was up against Morgan Gay, also from Penyrheol ABC, in a highly-entertaining three rounder.

There was little in it in the first round, Varey upping his pace in the second and landing the cleaner punches. The pattern continued through the next two rounds but Varey lost out on a debatable split decision.

Ethan Frayling, having his third bout, made it three out of three wins, in what was a strong performance against Johnny Ward, from Ferndown ABC, Frayling winning on a unanimous points decision.

ABA coach Simon Knowles said: “Sammy did very well. He’d been struggling with a cold all week but was determined that he still wanted to box.

“Thomas Varey was very unlucky not to get the decision, he was in with a very experienced boy and we all thought he had it. (But) what a performance from Ethan in only his third amateur bout. He boxed brilliantly.’’ Cirencester have three boxers in the NABGC’s championships and are boxing on Saturday in the Southern Regional rounds at Broad Plain ABC.

Raymond Jones boxes at 54-57kgs against Vincent Mandair from South Hampton ABC, Thomas Varey goes at 57-60kgs against Bailey Donald, from Team Wiseman ABC, and Frayling is at 63-66kgs against Jim Bell, from The Ring.

The club also travel to Rhonda Wales with three more of boxers.