WRESTLING COMPETITIONS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 150, 21 December 1911, Page 8

WRESTLING COMPETITIONS

URQUHART DEFEATS HINE. There was not a very large attendance at the wrestling competitions in the Theatre Royal last night. This must have been disappointing to the executive of the T.iranaki Garrison Band, who. were the promoters, as instead of making a profit they will barely pay expenses. The Band is certainly worthy of public support. The wrestling itself was well worth patronage. All the events were keenly contests, the sporting spirit evinced by the competitors being appreciated by the audience. The arrangements were carried out well. Mr. Pat Webster, as M.C., fulfilled his duties efficiently, whilst Mr. Phil Skoglund, of Stratford, as referee, gave every satisfaction.

The go between Urquhart and Hine was particularly interesting. Both men were in fine form. Hine looked the heavier and more powerful man. He proved! the stronger, but Urquhart was too scientific, and science told, as he was able to win two falls outright. Before commencing it was announced that this was Urquhart's last wrestle, and at the conclusion he handed the title over to Hine, whom lie characterised as a true sport and the hardest man to beat ho had yet met.

In the novice events W. Mulloy defeated E. Lang, and L. Goes defeated Mulloy, who took the place of Street, of Stratford. These contests also proved interesting.

In the light-weights H. Read made no race with Nesbitt. During the evening the Garrison Band rendered several selections.

At the conclusion the competitors were entertained at supper at the Picadilly, when Mr. Skoglund (referee), the competitors and all who had assisted were heartily thanked by Mr. Cummings (conductor) on'behalf of the Band. The results were:— AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP. M. Urquhart (Stratford), 10.10, v. E. Hine (New Plymouth), 11.3. After sparring for holds, Hine attempted to buttock, but failed. Urquhart then got a flying fall, but was unable to follow up the advantage. Hine got in the scissors hold, but Urquhart countered with the footlock and saved. Some active work on the mat saw Hine get a flying fall from an arm roll. A little later Urquhart almost had the half-Nelson. Hine was next prominent with a leg and shoulder hold, but Urquhart was too clever, and after thirteen minutes won the fall with the cradle hold. The second bout was very fast, Hine's strength enabling him to pick his opponent up and throw him about, but 'Urquhart's trickiness and cleverness on the mat stood him in good stead, as he wriggled out of seemingly impossible positions. At the end of 20 minutes' strenuous work Urquhart, following up a cross buttock, got a strong neck hold that his opponent oould not combat, and won the bout amidst applause. NOVICE BOUTS. Heavy-weight—Molloy, 11.4, v. Goss, 11.10. The first fall went to Goss within two minutes, as the result of a halfNelson. The second fall went the full fifteen minutes. Just on the tick Mulloy succeeded in pinning his opponent's shoulders to the ground with a crutch and arm hold. The final lasted twelve minutes. Both wrestlers showed a partiality to sparring for holds, and very little time was spent on the mat. With an arm roll Goss won the fall and the match.

Lang, ] 1.4, v. Moll or, 12.2. In the first round, which lasted twelve minutes, matters were fairly even. Early in the bout Molloy attempted the scissors hold. Lang, 'however, got clear and nearly turned the tables with an arm roll. A little later lie got the scissors hold, and pinned his opponent. The second bout lasted the full 15 minutes. Molloy had the better of the bout, though on one or two occasions Lang looked dangerous. No fall ensued, and the verdict went to Molloy on points. Light-weight.—ll. Read, 0.10, v. B. Xesbett, 9.4. This proved of short duration. Read was much too strong, and threw his opponent (who should have been as strong as Samson, judging by his hirsute adornment) in less than two minutes.