Two 12-year-old PEJ ABC Margate boxers collected bronze medals at this year’s England Boxing National Schools Championships in Newcastle.

Alfie Glithero and Ralph Mansfield won their Southern Counties titles on points in Hastings before they came out on top in pre-quarter-final bouts on points in Tenterden.

They then were victorious as they put in exceptional performances, winning on points, in their quarter-final bouts in Poole, Dorset, to advance to the finals weekend at Northumbria University’s Sport Central facility earlier this month.

Glithero lost on a points decision in a close bout in the semi-final to last year’s finalist, the London champion, who went onto win the final.

It was a similar story for Mansfield, beaten by last year’s national champion, an 18-0 London champion from Newham, who won his final.

Mario Michael, a club coach, said: “We’re super proud of our lads who have worked so hard in preparation and gave 110 per cent.

“Alfie has now won the Southern Counties schoolboy title twice and has also won gold twice at the Manchester Box Cup and gold at the Bristol Box Cup.

“Ralph has won gold at the Bristol Box Cup and Manchester, and this was his first year in the Schoolboy Championship, so also a great achievement for him.

“On behalf of the coaching team and all the boxers, we would like to thank gym owner Malwai Nijar and PEJ Court Properties for their continued support, running the club.”