NEWHAM S Liam Desmond, who was the victim of a controversial decision in the National Boys Clubs finals, heads for the National Junior ABA finals at Liverpool at the end of the month. He moves through with club-mates George Veness, George Moughton and Jo

NEWHAM'S Liam Desmond, who was the victim of a controversial decision in the National Boys' Clubs finals, heads for the National Junior ABA finals at Liverpool at the end of the month.

He moves through with club-mates George Veness, George Moughton and John Coyle after their wins in the Southern semi-finals at Hayes on Sunday.

Desmond was tested by strong Farnham Warriors' rival Johnny Saunders, but came through with solid shots to clinch a worthy points verdict.

Veness and Moughton proved too good for their opponents from Southampton's Golden Ring club in their semi-final tests.

Brian Thomas had the task of ending Veness's title ambitions, but finished second best after the Newham club hope produced the effective attacks to take the decision.

Big-hitting Joe Pigford (Golden Ring) had halted earlier title hopefuls, but his solid shots were answered by some fierce replies from Moughton who continued his improvement to book his National final place.

Torquay's Keith Riley made a gallant attempt for semi-final glory against John Coyle, but the Newham hope dominated the action to make sure of his victory.

However, it was the end of the title march for Newham's Casey O'Riordan, after he finished on the wrong end of a points verdict in his semi-final meeting with Guildford ABA opponent Felix Cash.

Newham's quartet of winners now head up country to face the northern semi-final winners in the Royal Navy-sponsored finals at Liverpool on May 30 and 31.

JOE TEMPLE and Viddal Riley were the show-stealers when Newham BC staged a successful dinner tournament at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, on Friday night.

The 12-year-old Temple continued his bright form in club colours as he outscored Swanley rival Chris Lee, landing the solid shots to take a points decision.

Riley made it five straight wins in his career, looking impressive as he outpointed St Paul's Club Hull opponent Lee Small, and later took the best home boxer award.

Also looking good in home club colours, Surkan Cuzel slammed effective punches to score a second-round success over Gary Davis (Southend) on the show.

Kane Hoare maintained his winning run with his third straight success when he produced the solid shots to defeat Matt Crest (Woking).

However, in another clash between rivals from the same clubs, Newham's Desmond Johnson dropped a points decision against Lee Murphy.

Another Woking winner, National schools' champion Chris McKinnon, levelled the score against Newham's Jack England.

Home club boxer George Penny's clash with Taylor Jordan ended with a points verdict in favour of Hornchurch club boxer Jordan.

Richard David was a senior winner for the Newham club when he outpointed Sam Naseem (St Paul's Hull), to clinch the verdict with a solid-hitting display.

However, in other clashes between rivals from the same clubs, the verdicts went to the visitor's boxers, with Chris Stevenson outscoring George Price and Tom Gill outpointing Joe Frost.