Spennymoor Boxing Academy's latest annual dinner and boxing tournament was another sell-out and was attended by guest of honour Malcolm MacDonald.

The evening was dedicated to the club's former Master of Ceremonies and committee man Royce Carson.

Carson sadly passed away last December and last Friday's show was made more poignant when the bell tolled to signal period of silence in his memory.

The evening, a joint promotion between Bertie and Workwear Express, saw the opposition made up of a team event against a very strong Midlands ABA select, while there was pre-fight entertainment by Johnny Mac The Knife and the return of American MC Phil Walker

With the Spennymoor boxers taking up one side of the card, there were four junior contestants and eight senior bouts put together by the club's long-term matchmaker Paul Hodgson and the Midlands' Pat Sheenan but one club taking on the pick of the Midlands proved a hard task with the home side losing 6-3.

Pick of the bouts was a see-saw thriller between Spennymoor's George Gallone and the Midlands' D Hayward who took the majority points decision in a good light welterweight contest.

Gary Dodds looked very strong for the hosts, unanimously beating S Slater in a cracker that was later voted bout of the night.

Another strong boy on show was the Midlands V Pethoric who out-pointed the hosts' Joe Cooke.

Junior Ben Poskett worked hard against the Midlands opponent D Underwood before stopping him in the third round when the referee intervened, there was also a good home win for Adam Jackson in the junior bouts against J Johnson for the Midlands. Also in the team event James Ellis lost narrowly to D Johnson of the Midlands. Kris Todd a Spennymoor debutante lost on points to C Owen of the Midlands and Alex Oliver lost to M Greening Midland RTD.

In the support bouts the very experienced former schoolboy champion Gary Reay had his first senior bout against Rob Douglas of the Phil Thomas Club, Middlesborough. This was a great advert for amateur boxing with Reay using his ring craft to output the talented Douglas. Middleweight Chris Schofield extended his unbeaten run to out point Hylton Castle's C Anderson.

The top of the bill saw two very experienced lads battle it out right to the final bell with the contest providing an electric, atmosphere.

Stuey McCrone took on the Newbiggin's Ross Murray, who had a brief spell in the pro-ranks and who also had a glittering junior career. It was a clear boxer versus fighter contest with Murray looking a very strong fighter and McCrone using every inch of his cunning skills to take the close points decision.

Former Newcastle and Arsenal striker MacDonald, professional boxer Nigel Wright and the club's director of coaching Robbie Ellis presented the Golden Belt to best boxer Gary Reay while best bout went to Gary Dodds versus S Slater.

Coach Ellis said: "All my boys were up for this show and although we won six and lost six.

"The Spenny Boys were magnificent and the experience against top class opposition was invaluable to them all. We all work as a team but without the concerted work put in by my coaches this show would not be the success that it is.

"The fans were once again the best in the land and I'd like to thank them all for backing my Cancer Research Charity Appeal that raised nearly £1,000 by throwing coins into the ring and auctioning items.

"Our supporters are loyal and return time and time again.

"This show must be one of the biggest in the country and it's our tremendous fans and sponsors that keep it there."