A DRAWN BOUT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 20, 16 October 1937, Page 3

A DRAWN BOUT

Lack of Fireworks in Wrestling Bout

FOUCHE MEETS NOLAND

Last night's wrestling contest between Francis Fouche, of France, and Lan N oi and, of America, did not clarify the position as regards either contestant in the elimination tournament to find a challenger for the world 's ehampionship. It wae a draw. At least the decision was a draw, for the bout itself did not "draw" much of an audience; nor did it "draw" a great deal of enthusiasm from the crowd that was present. The bout was interesting enough at times, but it failed to produce the "fireworks" and excitement that was anticipated in view of recent performances of both grapplers. Both were making *heir first appearance in this district and. though dillering in build, there wae little between them in strength and ability. Fouche possesses a powerful pair of legs which were undoubtedly a great heip to liim in his scissors holds, whilo Noland had a penchant for combination arm and leg holds as well as an earnest desire to do anything that would annoy his opponent. Apart from the actual falls, howcver, there was little of the spcctacular about the movements. Fouche was first to se-cure a isubmission, this coming following a giant swing, when he applied, quite vigorously too, a boston crab to shorten the fiftk round to 90 seconds. In the seventh session Noland wae very kcen on equalising and his opportunity came when, following several jolts to tho head, he upended the Frenchinan and dropped him like a pile-driver and finished it off with a press. Over the early rounds Fouche worked overtime with his legs and he applied all rnanner of scissors holds, sometimee combining them with arm strangles and wristlocks. A playful habit, quite naturaly not appreciated by Noland, was to securo the American in a lying body scissors and buinp him all round the ring. Noland, : however, was not backward in expressing his dieapproval and between vigorously applying arm and leg locks and arm strangles (as well as other strangles if not watched very carefully by the referee) he lost no opportunity to annoy the Frenchman with hair-pulling, finger-work and taee rubbing. Over the first three rounds the referee, in fact, had played no small part in tho proceedings, separating the pair as they tangled themselves up in the ropee and constantly moving an arm from a throat, and repeatedly advising the principals to "cut that out." In the fourth canto he admonished Noland severely and warned him for using his knee. There was a good deal of hairpulling, rib-rubbing and spine-massag-ing on the part of both men at this stage, Fouche. who was proving liimself just as capable as Noland in theso "sxdelines," even going so far as to use his teeth as means to secure a release. The two rounds in which there were falls were very short ones and the round between them was not particularly exciting, though Noland was setting the pace with his combined limb work. The final round was fairly fast with plenty of action, there being more Btraight wrestling than hitherto but there was little between the pair of them and the referee called it a draw — much to the annoyance of a big section of the crowd who roundly kooted and booed the verdict. Sright Amateur Bouts. The preliminary programme, which comprised four amateur bouts, was perhaps the brightest and mdst entertaining of the season. All four • contests were full of interest and action and at times the crowd became wildly excited. Quite the most popular win was that of the All Black Rugby representative, Everard Jackson, who scored a Bnappy victory by two straight falls. Results of the bouts were as follow: — - J. Patterson (11.0) drew with. J. Kelt, after each had gained a full. S. McDonald (9.6) defeated J. Boyd (8.6) on points, after an extra round had been ordered. E. Jackson (13.6) defeated L. Haftka (13.9) by two falls to nil secured in the first two rounds. I. Upchurch (Wellington) (10.0) defeated J. McCormick (10.2) by one fall to nil. _Mr A. Anderson, of Palmerston Nortk. refereed all conteste.