Success for Walcot at Schoolboy Champs (From Swindon Advertiser)

Success for Walcot at Schoolboy Champs

6:50am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Boxing

THERE was double delight for Walcot’s boxers at the Western Counties final of the Schoolboy Championships in Bristol.

Young starlets Said Eltuyev and Kieran O’Donoghue both secured convincing points victories at Filton College.

Thirteen-year-old Eltuyev met Jack Barlow from Weymouth ABC in a class two (42kg) match, and the Churchfields pupil attacked from the outset, landing with fast straight shots.

Barlow had no answer to Said’s nimble footwork and speed, and found himself 6-0 down after the opening round.

The Walcot boxer continued to dominate throughout the contest and recorded an easy 15-6 points victory.

He said afterwards: “I'm pleased to have won the Western Counties title once again. I hope to improve on last season's performance when I lost in the semi-final.”

Completing the double was O'Donoghue, also 13, who took on Michael Buckland from Puriton ABC in Somerset, in a class two (44kg) contest.

From the opening bell the talented Dorcan schoolboy was always in control, scoring with fast left jabs and straight rights.

During the middle session, an unanswered six-punch combination forced the referee to issue Buckland with a standing count.

The third round mirrored the first two, and an 18-4 scoreline in favour of the Swindonian reflected the one-sided nature of the bout.

O’Donoghue said: “I have beaten three lads to win the Western Counties crown so I feel I have earned it.

“I must thank all the Walcot coaches for helping me, but especially (chief coach) Harry Scott who is in the gym every night.”

There was disappointment for O’Donoghue’s clubmate Charlie Hatfield after his class three (54kg) clash with Oakmead's Billy Harley.

A close and exciting contest was delicately poised at 12-11 to the Walcot boxer after two rounds. The final two minutes saw Hatfield give as good as he received and was awarded a 19-14 verdict by the ringside judges.

Chief coach Scott was happy with the performances of his boxers, saying: “All three did well and I felt Charlie was unlucky with the decision. The next round is the national quarter-final so it will get tougher from now on.”

Joining Said and Kieran at the quarter-final stage are Jimmy McDonagh, Patrick McDonagh and Lawrence Rees.