ANDREW Woodward, of Watchet ABC, has represented England in recent weeks in tournaments in Sardinia and France.
Whilst his East Durham and Houghall college boxing team mates enjoyed half-term, Andrew trained with the England team at Crystal Palace and then travelled to Sardinia to bid for a multi-nation medal in a week of competition.
Some 20 countries entered teams, the English team consisting of six boxers ranging from flyweight to light heavyweight, with three from the boxing academy in Durham.
Andrew faced Ker Abdulvadir from Turkey, a strong orthodox boxer and lost the bout 11-10 on computer scoring. Abdulvadir went on to win the bronze medal.
The Watchet boxer's performance was considered good enough by the English coaching staff to earn selection against france in Vantes — this time as captain of the England team.
Andrew faced a fast moving tall southpaw, Anthony Guillet from St Sebastien in another close, hard fought contest.
Going into the third round, Andrew had a two point lead, but instead of allowing the southpaw to come to him, he made the tactical error of forcing the tempo and at the end he was two points down.
The French boxer now had Andrew in pursuit and successfully stopped him from landing many clean punches to the target area.
Andrew lost 14-11, but national coach Ian Irwin informed that Andrew had again boxed well.
"Andrew is still in learning to compete at international level," said his coach at Durham, Frank Collinson.
"Other European nations, including France, have had boxing academies for the past decade, and they include in their national teams young boxers with many years of international experience.
"The English are comparative novices at international youth level, and Andrew will box for England again.
Andrew's next major competition is the British Youth Four Nations' championships in August.