WEST HAM S Billy Hodder launched his National Schools Championship challenge at the Five Star BC, Harold Hill, on Saturday and came through as the only champion who had to box twice. He was entered in the only category with four boxers, Class One 42kg at

WEST HAM'S Billy Hodder launched his National Schools' Championship challenge at the Five Star BC, Harold Hill, on Saturday and came through as the only champion who had to box twice.

He was entered in the only category with four boxers, Class One 42kg at the North-East London Divisional Championships, and in his first bout he was drawn against Louis Hughes of Romford.

Hughes pressed forward, but Hodder kept his composure to outbox the more experienced Romford boy, taking the points verdict.

In the final, Hodder faced Alfie Smith of Repton and allowed his rival to score at close quarters, but got back to his boxing in the second and third rounds to take a very close decision from the judges.

Clubmate Billy Andrews boxed Ben Channing in the Class One 38kg final and controlled the contest, with his effective jab finding the target against the gallant Repton boxer.

Andrews added another success for the Hammers, taking the points decision from the judges, and the title.

Unbeaten Douglas Doherty won on points against Abdul Fazil of Waltham Forest in the Class Three 57kg final.

Doherty had beaten Fazil twice before and after two close rounds, Fazil started to tire as Doherty took over with his accurate jabs to take the points decision and the title.

In arguably the bout of the day, Hammers' Hughie Saunders lost on points to Obey Coates of Repton in the Class Two under-38kg final.

Slick counter-puncher Saunders waited for Coates throughout the contest, landing with his classy counters and seemed to be in front after two rounds.

Coates rallied in the last round and with both boys landing punches, the bout was very close at the final bell. However, the decision went to Coates with a tight majority verdict.

Jack Lewis boxed well, despite losing on a majority verdict to the more experienced Joe Kelleher of Five Star.

Joe Tokeley and Patrick Ellis both received walkovers and will be joined by Saturday's winners at the London semi-finals and finals on January 23 at York Hall.

NEWHAM BC duo Joe Temple and Jack England recorded good wins to start their 2010 National Schoolboys' Championship campaigns at Harold Hill on Saturday.

Both came through against tough opposition from Bethnal Green's Repton BC to win the North East London Divisional tournament at the Royal Navy-sponsored championships.

Temple took the honours in his Class One 32kg clash with the much taller Harry Dighton from the Bethnal Green club, who tried to make the most of his reach advantage with effective jabbing.

However, it was Temple who piled on the pressure to score well with two-handed attacks and take the narrow points verdict at the final bell.

England's clash with Repton rival Callum Channing was one of the best of the tournament with the Newham club hope producing top form to continue his winning run this season.

The capable Channing slammed back with his own punches in their Class Three 46kg duel, but the judges vote went to England.

Also going through for Newham were walkover winners Vidal Reilly in the Class One 50kg catagory and Desmond Johnson in the Class Three 54kg.