Hopes dashed as east's title contenders all lose in finals

EASTERN amateur boxing fans had to endure a day of non-stop disappointment at the British 1990/91 Youth championships, as all four east title finalists suffered defeats by English and Welsh opponents at Portobello Town Hall.

In the 1991 48kgs final, Gilmerton's Josh Taylor's stylish ring movements were not matched by punch workrate so he had to play second fiddle to the blistering punch combinations of England's James Dickens, who won 8-3.

However, in contrast, in the 1991 64kgs final, Fauldhouse's all-action Robbie McKie, outfought and out-hustled Welsh rival, Dale Evans.

Unfortunately for the impressive West Lothian boxer though, the judges wrongly saw Evans a 14-7 winner.

McKie's performance was the sole bright spot for the home fans in an otherwise dismal day of defeat.

In the 1990 64kgs final, Leith Victoria's light-welterweight title hope, Sandy Forsyth, was well beaten by outstanding English left hook merchant, Joe Hughes, who won by a wide 19-4 points margin.

Meanwhile Sparta lightweight, Lewis Benson, gave a good performance in the 1991 60kgs final but lost 16-3 on points to England's Antonio Conihan.

Similarly, hopes that Kirkcaldy middleweight, Danny Barlow, of the Fife town's Kingdom club, might prevent a whitewash proved futile.

The Fifer posed almost no threat at all throughout four rounds to his Englishman Ryan Aston, who won easily 11-3.

Indeed, Scotland's sole British title winner at Saturday's event at Portobello was hot Clydeview prospect, Robert Wright.

He celebrated his 18th birthday by brilliantly winning the 1990 48kgs title. The outstanding Glasgow boxer out-pointed Welsh opponent, Jay Harris by an impressive 19-2 scoreline to win his fourth consecutive British youth crown.

Meanwhile, Midlothian club coach Ally Quilleti confirmed that rising Midlothian light-flyweight prospect Dylan Moffat has been called up to the Great Britain training squad.