A team of boxers from a Colchester-based regiment are making their mark in the National Army championships.

The team from the 1st Battalion Anglian Regiment, stationed in Londonderry, have made it through to the semi-finals to be staged in Aldershot tomorrow where they will be up against men from 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment.

The team is coached by Sgt David Riley, 31, from Colchester, and includes Pte Mathew Tuppen, 21, of Romford.

The team who started out on their quest for honours in October have already come through three rounds of the national competition and will be representing units stationed in Northern Ireland.

Press Officer, Capt Mark Powell said the team's success was down to the coaching of Sgt Riley. "They have done tremendously well to get this far and will be in for a hard battle when they come up against the Paras.

"Obviously, as you'd expect of the Parachute regiment, they will be fit and aggressive but we're hoping the team can make it through to the final."

The nine-man team competition, which ranges from bantam to heavyweight, is one of the most hotly-contested and prestigious Army championships.

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