Wrestling Match.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 202, 25 February 1895, Page 2

Wrestling Match.

The wrestling match between J. Sutherland, the champion middle-weight wrestler of New Zealand, and J. W. F. Halcoinbe, of Feilding, (for two years imateur champion of Western Michigan, U.5.A.,) took place in the Feilding Assembly Kooms on Saturday evening ast and resulted somewhat unexpectedly n a win for the local man, who, although ae was known to possess the qualities of i good wrestler, was scarcely expected ;o be the victor over so redoubtable an jpponent. The match was the outcome jf a challenge from Sutherland, who met md defeated Halcombe at the Feilding athletic Sports last Boxing Day, and who, at the time, admitted Halcombe svas a "toagh customer." In the jhallenge Sutherland offered to wrestle for a stake, but Halcombe declined, offering to meet him in a match to be lecided on the best three out of five falls, the styles .to be Graeco-Roman and Catch-as-catch-can, the winner to take bwo-thirds and the loser one-third of the 3oor-money, after paying expenses. Ihese terms were accepted and the match decided as stated in the presence of from 250 to 300 persons, including same of the leading professional men, tradesmen, and settlers from various parts of the district. The contest was earried out with the strictest order and decorum, and anyone opposed to these contests would have had their prejudices removed had they seen this match. Messrs E. Mills and T. E. Taylor acted as judges, and Mr Burton as referee. When Sutherland and Halcombe stepped on the stage they appeared to be in good condition. The former, whose weight was 10 stone 10 pounds, was slightly taller than the latter, who is 10 stone 6 pounds. Sutherland was suffering from a bad cold contracted about a week previous, while Halcombe enjoyed the best of health. The first bout was in the " catch-as-cateh-can " style, and Halcombe at once began to move smartly around the clover champion and almost had him down on three occasions, Sutherland being thrown with his back towards the erouud, but he cleverly turned before his shoulders touched. However, Halcombe got him again with his back to the ground holding hun in that position until he forced his opponent's shoulders down, the bout lasting four minutes. The second bout was in the Grjeca-Roman style, and Sutherland, who appeared to be more at home' with. this than the previous style, forced the game. After wrestling for three and ahalf minutes Halcombe turned his opponent over, and the latter turning sharply to avoid a fall knocked one of his eyes slightly, and the contestants took a spell of two and a-half minutes when they again went to work; Shortly after recommencing Sutherland almost gained a fall, but by a clever turn Halcombe fell face down. However, Sutherland secured another opportunity and, after a short and severe struggle, forced Halcombe's shoulders down, the bout lasting 44- minutes from x the spell, or eight minutes from the commencement. Two minutes after commencing the third bout, " catch-as-cateh-can " stylo, Halcombe had Sutherland with one shoulder down, but a clever turn improved the latter's position. , Halcombe forced the attack and within four minutes from the start had secured .-[ his second fall. The fourth bout, Grseco-Roman style, proved to be the most exciting. Halcombe nearly had .his opponent down on two or three occasions, when Sutherland obtained a good hold of Halcombe, but the latter getting his arms tinder the former's chin compelled Sutherland to relax his hold. Halcombe was carefully wrestling when, by a quick movement, he fell with Sutherland underneath, almost securing a fall, some of the spectators thinking it was, the judges ruling to the contrary. Halcombe concurred, saying he did not think it was a fall, and would not claim it. This tussle lasted for eleven minutes, and at this stage the contestants had a rest. After resuming, and at the end of four minutes, Sutherland gained a fall, he having obtained a good, hold, and forced Halcombe's shoulders down.. The style of the fifth bout was decided on by tossing a coin, the choice falling to Sutherland, who chose the GxsecoRonian. This looked serious for the local man, who had lost both previous falls in this style. However, he went to work at once and had his opponent back; downwards twice, but failed to secure a fall. His third opportunity came in quick succession, and two minutes from the commencement Sutherland's shoulders were forced down. This was the signal for loud applause and cheers foe the local man. It is probable these men will meet again at the Marton Athletic Sports on March 18th. . I. and A. W. Watts acted as seconds to Halcombe and Sutherland respectively.