Jephcott is now a lean, mean fighting machine

There were mixed fortunes for the two Cleary’s ABC boxers fighting in the ABA novices Midlands finals in Stoke-on-Trent last Saturday.

Michael Jephcott overwhelmed opponent Imran Ali (Windmill) to get the nod from all five judges.

Having slimmed down from 18 stone for his boxing debut at 70kg, the Pink Assassin is now down to 56kg and coach Edwin Cleary believes he is match for the very best in the senior division at that weight.

“I said that if he boxed at 56kg he’d have a good chance of winning,” said Cleary.

“He’s super-fit and it doesn’t matter who he boxes.

“He’s so busy in the ring and I think he’d give stablemate Sean Greenfield (a former Midlands vest winner) a run for his money.”

Jephcott, 23, now goes on to fight Canvey Island’s Billy Simpson in the pre-quarters on Saturday November 2.

Before that, however, he meets Ludlow ABC’s James Key for the vacant UBC Central Novice Featherweight belt.

Michael Cole, meanwhile, lost out on a majority decision to Tarlock Mandoor (Walsall Wood), with his tall rangy opponent picking him off to gain the decision 3-2.

ANGLING

Owen Barnwell fished pole and pellet to win Whitnash Royals’ match at Tofts’ Carp Pool, putting 46lb 10oz on the scales.

Mick Bennett was just two ounces behind in second using pole and maggot.

Third place went to Geoff Bliss with 40lb 12oz using method feeder and pellet.

Section winners were Mick Mackey and Harry Pratt, both with 38lb 8oz,Mark Valente (34lb) and Mick Bodfish (23lb 8oz).

Danny James won the Queen’s Head, Cubbington’s Anniversary Salver with 5lb 10oz, which included a two-and-a-half pound chub, all caught on the waggler.

Heavy rain through the week brought the River Leam back to life and roach, dace and chublets showed up at every peg.

Jim Massey pipped Rick Price by two ounces for second with 5lb 4oz.

Eleven stalwarts braved the wind and rain on Tuesday as Warwick & District Pensioners fished Jacks Pool on Parkers Fishery.

Alan Powell won with a 21lb 2oz mix of crucians, carp and silvers all caught on red maggots.

John King was second with 15lb 12oz, with Alan Hudson (11lb 8oz) third.

POOL

In the Warwick District League, last year’s pro-rata winners Jolly A routed Racing Club 12-0 with Luke Morris, Huw Thomas, Nathan Philpot, Daz McCrorie and Marco Edwards doing the damage.

Black Horse B continued their winning streak with a 7-5 win over Joiners. Black Horse’s Sue Wright, Dan Johnson, Steve Pitts claimed doubles as did Joiners’ Abel Costa, one of which was a seven-baller.

Russell Collins and John McDaid fired Grist Mill to an 8-4 victory over Whitnash Tavern, while Green Man gained an important win over rivals Woodloes with Gary Bradley doing enough to ensure Rob Twigger’s double meant nothing on the night.

Black Horse B exacted revenge on The Sun courtesy of Jim Cunningham and Dan Murray, with Loz Williams’ pair not enough to prevent a 9-3 defeat for his side.

Frames remain unbeaten after a comfortable 9-3 success over Sunny Jet A. Rob Loveridge, Brandon Tatlow and Andy Draper claimed the key results.

Phil Poynter’s two wins failed to prevent Lord A going down to a 7-5 defeat against their B side.

REAL TENNIS

Leamington Real Tennis Club welcome four of the sport’s leading players on Friday November 1 for a national tournament.

World number four Bryn Sayers is the pick and he will be joined by world number eight Ben Matthews, Middlesex British Challenge event winner Ricardo Smith and losing finalist Chris Chapman.

Matches start at 6.30pm.

SQUASH

Kenilworth Men’s 1sts got back to winning ways in Warwickshire League’s top flight courtesy of a 4-1 success against Sutton Coldfield.

Kenilworth were helped by the return of Chris Fuller who dispatched Chris Hall in three straight games.

Guy Pearson made heavy weather of his win, despite dropping down to second string, while Steve Townsend continued his unbeaten run from the summer season with a straightforward 3-0 victory.

James Piddington was similarly untroubled at four, leaving Jenny Wright as the sole loss.

Kenilworth Ladies opened their winter campaign without Sarah-Jane Perry but their juniors came close to snatching a win against visiting Leamington.

Olivia Gow beat Nicola Brown in three games and Faye Deakin followed up by winning in straight games against Maxine Holt to leave the senior members to finish off the job.

However, Natalie Townsend tired in the fifth to lose to Ali Bate and Nicola Howell got Leamington level with a 3-0 success over Carolyn Lindsay.

The number one strings then put on a great display with Leonie Holt battling back from 2-1 down to beat Jenny Wright.

Badminton

Alveston Juniors have started a new weekly coaching session at St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre in Warwick.

The sessions run on Saturdays from 2pm to 3.30pm and are aimed at ten to 16-year-olds keen to develop their court skills.

Further details can be obtained from head coach Chris Osborne on 01789 842664.