WRESTLING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 194, 30 May 1934, Page 2

WRESTLING.

FIRST ASHBURTON CONTEST. DR. F. MEYER BEATS REX BOLT. Tlie Ashburton Wrestling Association opened its 1934 season, ill His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, when Dr. Fred Meyer met Rex Bolt in a professional heavy-weight contest. There was a very good- attendance of the public. In an exhibition which included many interludes of gallery play on the part of the contestants, Dr. Meyer defeated Bolt by two falls to one. The result was not a very popular one, for Bolt had given a good account of. himself.

The match oidy went to six rounds, two of which were less than half of the customary 10 minutes’ duration. Bolt obtained a fall over Meyer in the first round, but it was not until the fifth that Meyer retaliated. This fall was secured when only 3 minutes 15 seconds of the time had elapsed. The Sixth and final round -was also short, Meyer finishing, the match with a fall after 3 minutes 25 seconds. The fact that this was Bolt’s first appearance in the Dominion added considerable interest to the match.

Meyer entered' the ring 71b heavier than Bolt, their respective weights being 14st 121 b and 14st 51b., Although there was some loud booing at times, the patrons were not as sever© in. their disapproval of the showmanship exhibited as has been the case in former matches at Ashburton. Good-natured remarks were directed at both wrestlers and referee, and the latter joined in the banter. Selections were given by Mr R. Daybourne’s orchestra at intervals. Mr A. P. Craig (Christchurch) was the referee, and Mr H. D. Johnston (Ashburton) the announcer. The contest round by round was:— Round One.—Bolt had Meyer in a painful arm hold soon after the start and Meyer could not free himself even though he bucked furiously. The doctor got away when a fail looked likely and some heavy throws -were given by both. Boxing tactics were adopted and the contestants were loudly “booed” by the public. The pace continued hot, with Meyer holding a ■slight advantage. After Bolt had tossed his man for a circuit of the ring, he obtained a fall with a reverse wristlock after 9 minutes 20 seconds wrestling. Second Round.—Picking up his opponent early in the second, Bolt gave him a heavy dump and applied the head scissors.. The newcomer was performing well and using a head-lock he threw Meyer to the mat three times in quick succession. Bolt followed up his advantage and his fourth throw looked dangerous for Meyer. He continued on top of his man until Meyer applied ,an arm-bar just before the gong. Third Round.—The pace was fast from the jump, but after a minute or two Meyer inflicted considerable punishment with a severe arm-hold. Bolt escaped and put on the splits and soon after had his opponent in great pain with a solid toe-hold. Meyer was half-way through the ropes when the referee separated them., The solid work was interspersed with brief interludes of showmanship which were sportingly received by the public. Bolt had a fine toe-hold when the gong sounded.

Fourth Round.—With Meyer in a hopeless little rock cradle (splits with a Japanese leg-hold) Bolt had but to

apply some tension to give the American trouble. He rolled the doctor round the ring, still holding him firm. The Texan looked as if he would gain his second fall, when Meyer got free and had him in an arm-stretch at the close.

Round Five.—Meyer started this round well, but Bolt gave several heavy dives from the ropes. Meyer threw the Texan to the mat with a series of head-locks, finally pinning him with a cross-buttock, following tlie last dump for the count. This gave each man a fall. The round had gone 3 minutes 15 seconds when the fall was secured. The ending of the round was with some dissatisfaction by the crowd, who were under the impression that the doctor had done some damage with blows struck at; Bolt, but this was merely by-play and not as serious as it appeared. Round Six.—Solid going in the sixth round saw Meyer dump Bolt several times, finally getting the deciding fall after wrestling 3 minutes 25 seconds. The result of this round was also received in a mixed fashion by the public. Amateur preliminaries. Four amateur bouts, two lightweights, one welter-weight and one middle-weight, were staged as preliminaries to the principal contest. J G. Faass (9st) met S. J. Borton (9st lOib) in the first light-weight bout. In the first round both men wrestled steadily. Borton made good use of his extra weight and went near to obtaining a fall once or twice, but Faass proved a “slippery customer.” The second round was faster and Borton looked very like securing a fall when Faass made use of the ropes with his legs and saved himself. Early in the third round Borton held his opponent down for the count of two and almost immediately secured the> fall which concluded the bout. , . W. Todd (9st 71b) and T. P. Borland, (9st 81b) staged an uninteresting first round in the second light-weight bout. The second was a little better, with Todd holding the advantage. In the third, Berland held the upper hand and had his man down for counts of one and two before securing a fall about half-way through the round to win the bout. R. J. Cowie (lOst lib) and T. S. Calder (lOst 31b) were the contestants in the welter-weight match. The first round was fairly’ even, both men showing that they had had considerable experience at the game. Calder had any advantage there was in the second, although both were in difficulties at times. The gong saw Calder with a head scissors and arm-bar on Cowie. The ropes saved both men early in the third round, but Calder appeared to have a distinct advantage later. There were no falls, however, and the bout was declared a draw. C A. G. Voice (list 31b) wrestled W. Mitchell (lOst 121 b) in the middleweight bout. Some good holds were used in the first round and the second was also bright, .with much mat work. There was little between, the men in either round. Starting solidly, the third was a strenuous round, but there were no falls. Mitchell won on points.