The fighters emerged with a 100 per cent record as they faced rivals from the England and Wales select squads in their debut outing, with Pte Lucas Forinton (R Anglian), LCpl Raja Asif (R Signals) and LCpl Jack Lorja (Mercian) all triumphing in Stoke-on-Trent.
The action then switched to their Aldershot base, where the soldiers downed the Home Counties 5-3.
A busy run then concluded with a 4-2 success against the Bahrain Royal Guard at ITC Catterick – a result that saw them avenge their loss to the same opposition at the venue last year.
Head coach Sgt Chez Nihell (RAPTC) has obviously been thrilled with his team’s efforts to date, with a number of factors contributing to their early positive displays.
“Winning our first home show of the year on the back of how well we did at Stoke gave us great momentum,” he told SoldierSport.
“The start of last season was quite tough and then it got better, but this time round we have started with a bang.
“I’m now doing all the match making, with support from my assistant coaches, particularly Sgt Liam Jones (REME).
“We have clubs ringing up all the time and he works with them on the matching up.
“It means we can be more tactical. We want hard but competitive bouts and it is all about performance.
“If they do not get the decision, we need to see if the boxers have listened and fought to the best of their abilities.
“I’m also in my second season as coach and I learnt a lot during that first year in charge.
“We have now taken control of the strength and conditioning programme and have seen improvements in physicality and robustness – as a Royal Army Physical Training Corps instructor that is my trade.
“It could not have gone any better. You are never going to win every bout, but to get victories from the first three shows is brilliant.”
Sig Alfred Clark (R Signals) and Cfn Zack Kaminski (REME) gave the army the perfect start against the Home Counties, while a second-round cut above the eye failed to deter Forinton as he took his 60kg bout via a split decision.
Pte Dylan Swales (RLC) and Spr Marley Devitt (RE) added further wins to seal the honours, while Asif, Pte Kasharna Williams (RLC) and team captain LCpl Leon Moulds (REME) all impressed in narrow defeats.
The latter bounced back in style a week later in Catterick, where he defeated Bahrain’s LCpl Prakash Limbu Ljam via a unanimous verdict in a display that saw him named best boxer on the night.
Cpl Felicity Johnstone (RLC) triumphed in the only female bout on the card, while Swales maintained his fine form as he beat Pte Abdullah Alabdullah on a split decision.
Super heavyweight Gdsm Josh Young-Hastings (Gren Gds) secured the result with a unanimous decision against Pte Augustine Issac.
“We are in a very strong position, and everyone is performing well,” Moulds, pictured below, said of the start to the campaign.
“People are putting the effort in during training, morale is high and the gym is buzzing.
“Personally, I thought I had done enough against the Home Counties; it was a good performance, but I lost 3-2 on a split decision.
“In Catterick I faced the same opponent as last year and won again. It was a lot closer last time and he was a game kid, but I got the result I deserved. Being named boxer of the night was the icing on the cake.
“I love those shows and it is a great atmosphere with so many people watching. The aim now is to keep as busy as I can and produce more performances.
“I am fitter and stronger, my boxing is developing and I feel more relaxed in the ring.”
Members of the army team were facing a further test against the Royal Guard in Bahrain as part of the UKAF squad as this issue went to press.
