The Colchester-based squad won all four bouts in the first half of their clash with 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment to find themselves on the brink of glory in the Inter-Unit Championship and two further victories after the interval saw them complete the job in style.
Pte Ghous Jellani set the standard in the night’s opening fight as he locked horns with Pte Brooklyn Brown at 57kg.
The Paras bossed proceedings in the first round, with a string of right shots underlining his superiority. The punishment continued in the second and after forcing a standing count, he floored his rival with another stinging right to win the contest via a stoppage.
Pte Nathan Howard maintained the momentum in an assured display against LCpl Alfie King, claiming all three rounds to take the 63.5kg honours via a unanimous verdict.
“I felt composed in there and boxed as well as I could against a good opponent,” a delighted Howard said afterwards.
After a strong opening round in the 67kg ranks LCpl Callum Hayward saw Poachers rival Pte Oliver Gracey fight his way back into contention, but the para had done enough in the eyes of the judges and was awarded the victory on a split decision.
There was no doubting the outcome at 71kg where Pte Rojan Bitmez proved too strong for Pte Harry Veitch. The main action came in the final round, where strong left shots saw Bitmez inflict a standing count and with his opponent bloodied, he went on to seal a unanimous verdict.
With a 4-0 lead at the break, the Paras only needed to win one of the five bouts that followed and while triumphs for LCpl Blake Holness and LCpl George Sheldon delayed proceedings, their success was confirmed by Cpl Tony Jones (pictured).
Fighting Pte Charlie Anderson at 86kg, the NCO showed slick footwork to avoid his rival’s attacks and countered with expertly guided jabs.
While Jones tired late on his body of work held him in good stead and was awarded a unanimous verdict. The lead extended to 6-2 with another unanimous decision, this time for Pte Jake Dawson over LCpl Findley Bishop at 92kg, before the Poachers took the honours in the final bout of the night as Pte James Edoh was handed a walkover win at 100kg.
