LIVELY WRESTLING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 227, 7 September 1933, Page 3

LIVELY WRESTLING

VARGA BEATS OSWALD COUNT SLAMS HIS OPPONENT. BOUT ENDS IN FIFTH ROUND. A back loop slam in the fifth fifth round of the professional wrestling contest staged by the Hawke's Bay Wrestling Association between Count Josef Varga and Hank Oswald at the Hastings Municipal Theatre last evening put a sudden ending to the bout, Oswald being untable to continue the contest. More than ordinary interest was taken in the fixture by virtue of the fact that this was the first appearance of tho colourful personality from Hungary, and there was a big attendance, though not. quite a record for tho season.. Tho crowd was treated to one of tho best bouts scon this winter, the five rounds being full of action. Although there were many digressions in the way of elbow punching, slapping and kicking, there was plenty of good wrestling, a. great variety of holds being exploited. Strangely enough the crowd became most excited when the “horse play’’ was in progress, and it was the “incidents’’ that appeared to please the spectators immensely. The climax camo unexpectedly as Varga had been tossed heavily with flying tackles. He shammed grogginess, and as Oswald came at him with another tackle the Count grabbed a headlock which Oswald slipped out of, but came back at the Hungarian, who neatly trapped his num for a. slam, tho American doing a loop to fall hard on tho mat with the Count on top. THE OPENING EXCHANGES. Tho pair were some time deciding the inside position of the opening referee’s hold, Varga (14.10) eventually bringing Oswald (14.5) to tho mat with a side head chancery. Seven times he rose to his feet with the American's head tucked tightly under the armpit, and each time banged his man to tho mat with a thud. A face-bar afforded Oswald the opportunity to clap on a head-scissors, which was soon broken, and after a little side play the Count secured a similar hold on his man until a painful double leg-lock caused him to grant release. Oswald did some arm stretching until his head was tilted back, and on both coming to their feet Oswald attempted some futile tackles. Just before the round ended Varga had a nasty reverse Japanese wristlock on the American.

The Count came out aggressively on tho gong and tossed Oswald twice, but tho American retaliated with his specialties and brought the European down with a flying body scissors. Breaking free they exchanged some hard elbow punches and many mutterings, eventually shaking hands. The Count claimed a short arm scissors, out of which Oswald rolled after a time, and more elbow work came when Oswald grabbed the Count’s cauliflower ears. Amid prolonged cheering Oswald chased his man round the ring. Settling down again Varga countered an arm-lock with a hammer-lock, but tho American secured a reverse head-lock, and rubbed his knuckles into the Count’s noso. Varga broke free and commenced tossing again, but Oswald stamped on a shoeless foot. As the round ended Oswald was working hard on a vicious arm-lock. ELBOW PUNCHES PROMINENT. Again in the third session Varga beat his man to the inside position, and a short arm-scissors had Oswald in difficulties until ho kicked the Count in the face. There was another exciting rally of elbow punching before Oswald connected with four hard tackles, Varga wilting, but on dropping to the mat he managed to counter a headlock with a head-lock. The Count’s experience prevailed, and he gave Oswald a busy time getting out of a short-arm scssors then a head scissors and arm-bar. A minute later it was Varga who tasted the painful short-arm-scissors, the left hand going a

deadly white colour under the pressure, which was released when the American attempted an arm strangle. Coming to tho mat again Varga had to break a keylock before he commenced to hand out a liberal doso of head-locks and face rubbing. A painful reverse wristlock led to Oswald shaping up in true boxer style to the Count, and amid much snorting and grunting Oswald took his man to the mat to claim an arm strangle. After some difficulty the Count gained freedom, and retailiated by tossing the American four times before settling down to a head scissors, which broke when Oswald countered with a toe twist. Oswald showed signs of annoyance when they came apart, and indulged in body punching. He then responded with his tackle, Varga going down to a body scissors which was converted into a variation of the crucifix. Alter rolling round the ring Varga broke freo and it was his turn to show annoyance, elbow punching coming into prominence again. There was a lively exchange until Oswald again claimed the short-arm scissors which Varga broke after considerable labour to have Oswhld struggling in the splits as the gong went. Four head-locks enabled Varga to toss his man, who put in some more elbow punching in an endeavour to keep Varga at a distance. Tho Count chased his man round the ring until Oswald became the aggressor, launching four hard tackles. It was then that the Count set his trap which brought the bout to a close, after the round had been in progress 3 min. 42 secs. THE AMATEUR BOUTS. Five really good amateur bouts were staged as preliminaries to the professional contest. Tho outstanding match was that between Morley and Kent, both of whom are reputed to be among the best of their class in the Dominion, and the H.B.W.A. has been strongly urged by Mr G. Bennett, the well known referee, and secretary of the N.Z. Wrestling Union, to send both to the New Zealand championships. The results of the amateur bouts wero as follow: —

G. Thow (Hastings) 9.10 defeated C. R. Croucher (Napier) 9.11 on points. The bout was a lively one. The winner was stronger, though in defence Croucher was unusually good and proved a difficult man to pin to the mat. There were no falls. J. Stewart (Hastings) 11.4 defeated L. Carberry (Hastings) 11.0 by a fall to ml. Stewart secured his fall in the first round with a headlock and body press. The last two rounds were full of action and very even, with Carberry striving unsuccessfully to equalise. E. Morley (Hastings) 11.4 drew with J. Kent (Hastings) 11.10. This was the star bout of the evening and afforded great pleasure. The first round had been in progress 2mins. 15secs. when Morley gained a fall with a shortarm scissors. Kent was full out in the second round and the pair exchanged holds in great style. The final session was exciting, with Kent again the aggressor. Following the handing out of punishment with an arm stretch and later leg locks, each went for a toss and on coming to the mat Kent secured the splits and Morley’s shoulders rested on the mat for Kent to gain a fall. A. Ericksen (Havelock North) 12.8 drew with H. Brinson (Hastings) 12.8. The first fall was gained by Brinson with a jack knife in the opening round. Then Ericksen equalised with a variation of the slam and a body press. Burton (Napier) 9.10 defeated F. Brock (Napier) 9.7 by one fall to nil. This, too, was an exciting go, Brock introducing the novelties that aroused considerable enthusiasm. The final round had been in progress only 44 seconds when Burton pressed his opponent's shoulders to the, mat after a headlock and roll. RUMBERG DEFEATS PEREIRA. DECISION ON POINTS. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 6. Hal Rumberg beat Al Pereira in a professional wrestling contest to-night. Pereira took the first fall in round four with a series of flying tackles. Rumberg evened in the seventh with headlocks and slams, followed by a press. After a fierce eighth round the referee gave Rumberg the decision on point*. The decision was unpopular. The attendance was fair.