JEFF Moses was encouraged by Mason Strickland’s display in his first senior contest after he suffered a split-decision loss in the Channel Islands.

Strickland was a late replacement for Barrow ABC clubmate Ethan Doyle in the North West team for the trip and faced an opponents with 13 more bouts than him under his belt.

But the Barrow boxer more than held his own and head coach Moses praised his performance.

“He’s only had seven and the lad he boxed had 20,” said Moses.

“He goes away to start his training with the Parachute Regiment next month and it’s excellent training for him, and - give or take - he’s going to come up against bigger men than that.

“He took the bout and got beaten on a split decision, which I thought was good because he’s been out for quite a long time gym-wise, but it took it at a week-and-a-half’s notice.”

James Braithwaite suffered a split-decision loss too despite knocking down Daniel Maree, who went on to lose to Braithwaite’s Development Championship final opponent Arnold Obodai in the semi-finals of that competition.

“Even though James knocked his opponent down and gave him a standing eight-count, he didn’t get the decision,” said Moses.

“Whether he doesn’t look right or not, I don’t know, but he always seems to just get beaten on a split.

“The final is a neutral venue and things might be different.”