YORK boxer Thomas Ward made a sensational return to the ring as he helped the Hull-based St Paul's Amateur Boxing Club to victory over a combined Dutch/London team.

Ward, 27, gave up the sport five years ago after being a highly-promising fighter in the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions, but the Clifton brawler showed he had lost none of his sharpness to take a unanimous points decision against Dutchman Ilias in Hull.

However, Huntington's Glenn Banks could not follow suit, with the England representative boxer losing a controversial points decision to Ilias' fellow countryman Genemans after a good bout.

A good night of amateur boxing saw St Paul's take the overall honours though from their visiting counterparts.

Updated: 11:37 Wednesday, June 18, 2003