BOXING: Belfast student Martin Lindsay of the Immaculata Club had a point to prove and he reacted with gusto to a suspension that kept him out of this week's European championships in Croatia, when outclassing his Scottish featherweight opponent James Ancliff during Ireland's 7-3 victory at the National Stadium last night, writes Pat Roche.

Lindsay combined his skills with his fighting qualities and stopped his opponent in the third round under the 20-point ruling.

Ancliff in fact did not score as long as it lasted. Lindsay led 10-0 at the end of the first and 18-0 at the end of the second, en route to a most comprehensive victory.

Afterwards Lindsay said: "I was happy to get the competition and I will be rejoining the national squad when they return from Croatia, in preparation for the Olympic qualifiers."

Ross Hickey opened with a 12-4 win at light fly, over Usmaan Hussain. This was a battle between two southpaws and Hickey was always in front on the way to a decisive victory.

Earlier, the cadets and juniors, who are included in the overall match results, got Ireland off to a great start. David Oliver Joyce at bantamweight ousted Paul Appleby (Scotland) 12-8; while junior Keith Boyle scored a 24-14 win at lightwelter over William Bilan.

The shock loser in this year's National Championships, James Moore from Arklow, got back on the winning trail with 17-11 win over Fundo Mhura, a victory that assured Ireland of overall victory.

Results (Irish names first) Seniors: Lightfly - R Hickey bt U Hussain 12-4; Feather - M Lindsay bt J Ancliff stopped round 3 (20 points ruling applied); Cadets: Bantamweight - D O Joyce bt P Appleby 12-8; Junior: lightwelter - K Boyle bt W Bilan 24-14; Welter - S Davitt lost to E Finney 26-14. Lightweight - E Hyland lost to M Prince 19-8; R Sheehan bt G McArthur 17-10; Welter - J Moore bt F Mhura 17-11; Light heavy - P Smyth bt M Warner 9-7; Superheavy - M Rogan lost to I Millarvie 18-6.