DROITWICH Amateur Boxing Club fighters Charles Delve and Josh Turner experienced the highs and lows of their demanding sport.

Middleweight Delve, 17, picked up his first win in an England vest by outpointing Canadian champion Stuart Twardzik in Basingstoke.

Then, in Liverpool, 12-year-old Turner just failed in his quest to reach the Schoolboy Championships national finals, losing by a single point in the semis.

Twardzik was known as a pressure fighter who likes to get in close and is dangerous on the inside.

But Delve looked in fine form as he used his reach advantage to good effect in the early rounds, keeping Twardzik at bay and piling up points with his accurate punching.

He was five points ahead at the end of the second round and appeared to be cruising to a comfortable victory but faltered in the third as the strong, aggressive Canadian struck back.

Delve kept his head under pressure and, despite tiring in the last round, held on for a memorable victory, taking the final verdict by two points.

"It was a mature performance by Charles - Twardzik was considered one of the strongest of the Canadian team," said Droitwich coach Chris Andrews.

"He was under enormous pressure in the closing stages but showed his maturity and level-headiness by riding out the storm.

"His success is so well deserved. He applies himself 100 per cent and is an excellent role model for the youngsters at the club."

It was nearly a memorable double for the Spa club as Turner edged ahead in his semi-final with Dillon Manning (Northside, Manchester).

He boxed his heart out but found Manning an elusive and powerful opponent.

Going into the last round, he was one point ahead but, despite seeming to match Manning punch for punch, the final verdict went to his opponent by a single point.

"Josh was bitterly disappointed" said Andrews. "He is another one who puts everything into his training and learning.

"He had previously lost to Manning on club shows but gave the Manchester boy the shock of his life in these championships.

"To go down by only a single point, especially after being ahead, is a bitter pill to swallow but I have every confidence Josh will learn from this experience and be stronger for it."

In a dinner tournament at Shrewsbury, three sparkling performances from Droitwich boxers went some way to offset the disappointment of Turner's loss.

Welterweight Liam Walsh, 17, and schoolboys David Butler and Brad Piper, both 12, all won by unanimous points decisions.

"They were all brilliant." added Andrews. "All three of them showed excellent skills and looked so positive and confident in the ring.

"Let's hope they can maintain this form - I am hoping to match most of our squad at a home tournament in Redditch on March 7."