Worcester City Amateur Boxing Club members were well to the fore at a show held at Worcester Rugby Club's Sixways headquarters.

Five club boxers were in action at the show, organised by Worcestershire Sporting Club in association with Worcester City ABC, and which featured the first stage of the National Novice Championships.

Nick Oliver was the only Worcester fighter in championship action, and he defeated opponent N. Walsh, who retired at the end of the third round.

Oliver put Walsh under constant pressure with two-handed attacks and straight rights. He fights again in Wolverhampton tonight in the next stage of the competition.

David Cuss boxed very well to instructions to win a unanimous points decision against J. Whetlor (Droitwich ABC), and John Doe, up against the more experienced and taller L. Young (Penhill ABC, Swindon) persevered with two-handed attacks to win a majority points decision.

Nathan Smith won a close points decision against D. Cusions (Penhill ABC), a fighter he lost to last season, while John Butler lost a unanimous verdict to A. Bonehill (Droitwich ABC), whose two-handed attacks gave Butler much trouble.

There was disappointment for cruiserweight Ben Delacour, whose fight was cancelled when his opponent's registration card failed to arrive.

Overall the evening was a big success with more than 300 spectators, and the decision to use the rugby club for the first time proved very popular.

Boxing club chairman John Curnock said: "We hadn't really got any idea of how many we could get in, but the atmosphere was very good and reports from the show have been very favourable."

Proceeds of the evening went to Worcester City ABC, Acorns Children's Hospice and other local charities. The tournament was dedicated to former Worcestershire Sporting Club chairman John Jones, who died earlier this year.