DROITWICH boxers brought 2001 to an end with some encouraging displays.

Heavyweight Wayne McKenzie looked an exciting prospect in his first bout as he stopped Pete Bagley (Premier) at Oldbury.

The tall McKenzie kept his opponent under pressure from the opening bell with pinpoint jabs, opening up on occasions to land crisp rights and uppercuts.

The referee stopped the bout in the third round.

Light middleweight Matt Greening, having his first bout for nearly two seasons, was involved in a real cracker at Telford against local star Gary Round (Donnington).

In a blistering contest, Greening was unlucky to drop a close decision after seeming to pip the first and third rounds. His opponent was awarded the Boxer of the Night trophy.

At Smethwick, 15-year-old Michael Pardoe comprehensively outpointed Michael Lobb (Berinsfield, Oxford).

Lobb was the losing national finalist at Pardoe's age and weight in this year's National Association of Clubs for Young People Championships.

Earlier, at Shrewsbury, Pardoe had enjoyed another good win when he outpointed Brian Cato, from Dolgellau.

Also at Smethwick John Bray, 15, was in commanding form against John Ockendon (Sporting Ring, Camberley) and took a unanimous points decision.

On the same bill Mark Bonehill, 14, gave a truly gutsy display in losing to Derek Rogers (Hinckley).

Conceding weight to a boxer who is recognised as one of the top boys in the country, Bonehill weathered early attacks and took the third round.

Less convincing was 13-year-old Glen Hodgkins who lost to Donnington's Shane Griffiths.

But he was arguably entitled to an off day after two excellent wins.

At Lye he produced a cracking display to outpoint Chesterfield's strong Dave Blair, and at Shrewsbury he took the Boxer of the Night award when stopping Darren Bould (Shrewsbury Severnside) in the third round.

Sam Gorman, 12, made it a hat-trick of winners for Droitwich at Shrewsbury when he outpointed Zac Bowden (Shrewsbury Severnside).

He had earlier boxed well despite dropping a close decision to Rob McArthy (Hanwell, London) in a tournament at Abingdon.

Anthony Bonehill, 15, nursing a hand injury, represented a Birmingham select team against Yorkshire at Sutton Coldfield and he gave the performance of his life.

He lost to talented Paul Dixon (Birtley) but many thought his speed and sharp combinations had done enough to win it.

The club's top youngsters are now training hard for the National Schools Championships this month.