There were some bright performances from local youngsters when the Essex Schools' ABA Championship finals were staged at Basildon Sports Centre.

Around 20 bouts were staged in a feast of pugilism lasting more than four hours and the winners now go through to the regional finals at Kings Lynn on February 15.

Powers point - Canvey's Aaron Dainty (left) on his way to a points victory over Paul Upton from Dagenham Picture: TERENCE BUNCH

Two weeks later, those successful on that occasion will be back at the same Basildon venue for the overall quarter-finals of the National Schools event.

That is on March 1 and the semi-finals are at Bristol on March 15 with the finals in Yorkshire at Barnsley on the 29th and 30th of next month.

Final results (schools in brackets)

Class Two ( 3 x 1.5 min rounds): Under-60k -- Michael Hanger (Southend High) Southend beat Bradley Murray (Deanes) Berry, majority points.

Class Three (3 x 2 min rounds): Under-42k -- Aaron Dainty (Cornelius) Canvey beat Paul Upton (Royal Liberty) Dagenham, unanimous points. Under-48k --Jamie Homer (Fitzwimarc) Rayleigh lost to Luke Turner, Repton, unanimous points; Under-54k -- Craig Lewis (Chalvedon) Berry lost to Billy Saunders, Repton, unanimous points; Under-57k -- Daniel Lawrence (St Chad's) Tilbury lost to Ryan Taylor, Newham, rsf 2nd round; Under-60k -- Jack Gillingwater Cornelius) Canvey beat Pat Nugent, Newham, unanimous points.

Class four (3 x 2 min rounds): Under-48 -- Joe Blake (Mayflower) Chalvedon lost to Jim Upton, Dagenham, unanimous points; Under-57 -- Mick Murnane (Barstable) Chalvedon beat Gerry Fisher, Newham, retired round 2.

Published Wednesday, February 5, 2003