LOCAL members of the South West Kickboxing Academy Courtney and Nathan Pollard on Friday both travelled up to Guildford. Surrey ahead of the fight day at the Guilford Spectrum.

They were joined by head coach and fourth dan Steve Lilley.

Courtney made her debut in the fighting ring, and drew praise from instructors from other clubs for getting in the ring and having a go against an more experienced opponent. Young Courtney looked nervous in her first round but grew in confidence as she went into the second and third rounds.

Both Steve and her dad Jamie, who helped corner Courtney’s fight, were proud of her performance in the ring and the experience she got, even though she did not win her bout.

Later in the day it was Nathan’s time to get into the ring as he went toe-to-toe with Ryan Gunnell from the Team Gatwick club in London for the British kickboxing Union (BKBU) U16s title.

Nathan was given three weeks’ notice at the chance of this title fight. This was Nathan second time in the ring and Ryan’s third. It was a tough bout with both fighters showing signs of tiredness in the final round.

The fight was awarded a win to the Team Gatwick kickboxer in a tight decision for the judges. Nathan will have the chance for a rematch later this year.

Steve Lilley said: ‘He graciously accepted defeat even though he felt like he had done more than enough to win the fight, and took the decision like a real champion for which I?was very proud. So we will be reviewing the video footage to ensure that when the rematch takes place later this year Nathan will be able to ensure he gets the right decision.