STECHER'S LEGS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 73, 23 September 1930, Page 4

STECHER'S LEGS

LOGAN BEATEN BY TWO FALLS

LAST NIGFFS 3LVTCH

•'•' Since the retirement o£ Clarence Eeklund, probably the most famous "leg wrestler" in" the world to-day is Joe Steelier, one time heavyweight champion of the world. Steelier is a man who has specialised in scissor holds, and last night a Wellington .wrestling audience was given an opportunity >of seeing just how valuable these holds1 are to a wrestler and just what potential match winners they are when properly applied. The exponent was Tony Steelier, brother of Joe, and opposed to him was Walter Logan, a young aud exceeding promising . matman. Stecher won -the match with submission falls gained in the fourth and fifth rounds. It was a: thrilling finish to a bout which commenced not' too promisingly, for Logan, tip till the time Steelier fastened on the hold which gained him the first fall, was well ahead on points and looked all over a winner. Steelier appeared rather dazed at the time, but with dramatic suddenness he whipped his legs around Logan's abdomen in a hold known as tho "Figure Four." The pressure on the body from this hold is terrific, and, although Logan tried valiantly to break away, ho could not, and was forced to submit. He appeared to be very distressed, and in tho next round Stecher immediately rushed in to force his opponent to the mat, where he applied a body scissors and. again made Logan submit. Logan was easily the favourite of the large crowd.which witnessed the contest at the Town: Hall. At the conclusion Stecher was hooted for some unknown reason. .His,win was clear cut and convincing., '. . ■ •■ . ■ ■ \ Logan's weight waa given as 13st, 'Steelier, entering at 12st 71b. For the first two rounds the men wrestled cautiously, testing .■ each .other out. It was good, straight wrestling, but not productive of much'incident.' Doing most of the attacking, ■' Logan showed up well, and he had Stecher in trouble with a short arm scissors. Twice Stecher tried for the body scissors, but Logan foiled him by sitting between his legs. In the third round* however, the proceedings livened up considerably. As before, Logan "carried the work to Stecher who was again in trouble with a short arm scissors, but eventually he broke free Logan then showed that there were some grounds for his noni de guerre "The Texas Terrier." He dashed after his opponent, who bounced and jumped aioundW ring to escape. After Stepher had been through the ropes Logan brought his favourite lieadloek into action. For a time Stecher countered well, but Logan persisted and sent Stecher over backwards. Stecher "spun and rolled around the ring but he could not escape Logan, who kept after his man relentlessly, lie dumped and: tossed Stecher, who apparently did not relish the treatment, until the end of the round. ~ , The fourth commenced as the third had ended Logan, worked headlock after headlock, always sending Stecher . over on his back. -Twice he halched Stecher, who seemed to be weakening. Logan still forced the pace, but he misjudged his man's condition, for no sooner did lie give Stecher the chance than the latter clapped on the "Figuc Four.' 100 late did Logan realise his error. He rose with Stecher sitting upright supported by his legs fastened around Logan s abdomen, and attempted to break the hold by falling over backwards with bteencr. underneath. It was in vain, and, although Logan did this several tinics, he could not shake off the hold. Stcchor, •whose head had been.coming into contact with tlie mat, hung on grimly, and in the end, amidst loud applause, he loiced Logan .to-, tap. Y.Logan, doubled up, m evident' pain, liad to be assisted to his corner, while'Stecher, too, was not in the best of shape; '■'■ . •',.,, '■ - t i Tlie audience' were now highly excited, arid they cheered.the men. Stecher wasted no" time in.following up lus .advantage. He rushed, atr Logan, who backed away, still appearing to be suffering a good deal of pain. Stecher cornered him, attempted a flying scissors, failed, and fell to the mat Ho recovered and brought Logan down-and then applied a body scissors, adding the'finishing touches by bumping Logan's head on the mat. The latter submitted again, and Stecher was_awarded tho match. Logan had to be assisted up. but waa able to walk yut of the rmg all right..' >