LEIGH Boxing Club's Matty Burgess missed out on a third consecutive national final when he was beaten by split decision by Sullivan Rickett of Nottinghamshire based Bennys ABC.

The 16-year-old was boxing in the NABC national semi finals in Middlesborough, and was up against a very tall, fleet-footed opponent in Ricketts.

Starting slowly Matty found it hard to close down his pot-shotting opponent, but towards the end of the first round began to catch his opponent with his customary left hooks to body and head.

From the start of the second round Matty swarmed all over his opponent landing right hands, but Ricketts to his credit took the shots well and continued to move.

Seemingly all square going into the final round Matty once again charged forward with heavy combinations while his opponent stuck to jabbing and holding.

The judges deciding on a 3-2 majority vote for the Bennys ABC boxer.