Frankie Barrett - Hooks

Hooks ABC pair Nathan Brown and Frankie Barrett bounced back from their National Schools’ Championship exits with impressive victories on Saturday.

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Brown and Barrett had both been defeated in their respective London semi-finals a week earlier, but were victorious in the ‘West v East’ match at Forest School, Snaresbrook.

Pitted against Aspen Hickford (Tottenham & Enfield) – who beat him on his debut outing – Brown closed his opponent down, trapping him in the corner of the ring and stopping him with a meaty right cross in the final round.

And Barrett, who had under-performed the previous week, looked much improved as he clinched a majority decision following a strong final round against Dennis Finnanowirlitz (Lansbury).

“Nathan’s come on so much since that first fight,” said Hooks trainer Steve Newland. “It’s important to get the boys out again after the championships and they did well.”

Another of the defeated Hooks contenders from the championship, Daniel O’Donnell, was also in action at Forest School, but paid the price for a slow start as he lost a unanimous decision to Luke Wates (Hornchurch).

Hooks’ former national champion, Harry Connelly, returned to the ring as a late replacement and took a majority decision against Hornchurch’s Georgio Giulioggi.

Connelly picked his punches well and landed the cleaner blows throughout, holding on to win the verdict despite a recovery from Giulioggi in the final round.

Michael McDonagh was also victorious against William Sweeney (Bromley & Downham), landing some big shots to the head and body and looked well on top when his opponent – who had already received warnings for holding – was disqualified in the final round.

And Hooks’ Eddie McDonagh put up a brave performance against the more experienced Michael Carty (West Ham), losing a majority decision despite his high work-rate.

Two seniors from the Park Royal club were also in action, with Debbie Tyrell repeating her ABA victory over the Peacock’s Emily Energie.

Tyrell was on top for the first two rounds, with Energie taking a count in the second, but eased off during the closing stages and, despite taking a count herself, survived to secure a unanimous decision.

And Ryan Smith recorded his fourth straight win with a unanimous decision against the Lynn club’s S Maja, maintaining a good pace throughout all three rounds.