HOLLAND Shore Boxing Club's Oliver Dragisic and Arnie Dawson showed outstanding ability at the Colchester show at St Benedicts Catholic College.

Dawson was up against John Connors, from Coventry club Willenhall ABC.

Scoring with sharp combinations, he controlled the ring centre but the smooth-moving Connors was also connecting with long left leads.

Going into the second round, Dawson began landing heavy left hooks to Connors' body, which began to take a toll on the Coventry boy.

Connors, though, was still digging deep before a long right-hand forced him to take a standing count.

Dawson raised the pace in the third round.

Connors tried hard but was being backed up constantly and touched down a couple of times, with Dawson winning a comfortable unanimous decision.

Dragisic also showed good form and steady improvement when boxing Alfie Goldfinch, from Hornets ABC.

The muscular Goldfinch began well, walking on to Dragisic, who was throwing heavy combinations.

However, the loose, relaxed Dragisic, who is also heavy handed, stood his ground as both boys unloaded.

Dragisic caught Goldfinch with a stunning right-hand left-hook combination, forcing a standing count.

Coming out for the second round, the Hornets boy was now looking a little marked up.

Goldfinch was being backed to the ropes, with Dragisic scoring with five and six-punch loose, classy combinations.

The tough Hornets boxer showed his mettle but was being hurt before another standing eight count came, with Dragisic scoring a second-round win.

Also in action for Holland Shore was Joss Bennett, who lost out against New Saints' Garreth Macey.

The first round was lively, as both boys stood their ground, constantly opening up on each other and landing heavy combinations to share a tough first round.

In the second round, both boys got involved, with the action swaying as both connected.

As Bennett backed to a corner with his hands low, he took a right hand which forced a standing count from the referee, who called a halt to the action.

Also in action for Holland Shore were Jack Housman and George O'Shea, both going for their first skills contests.

Housman was up against Willenhall's William Stokes, while O'Shea was up against New Saints' Billy Davis.

Both boys boxed well and worked at a fast pace, showing lots of ability for their future careers, although both opponents were tough.