STRUCK SECOND.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1930, Page 7

STRUCK SECOND.

WRESTLER IN COURT.

PROVOCATION PLEADED.

MELEE IN WILD MATCH.

SMALL PENALTY IMPOSED,

The sequel to a wild and exciting wrestling bout in the Town Hall on July 14 was heard in the Police Court this morning when William ("Scotty") McDougal was charged with striking Leonard Percival Naylor, who acted as second for Tom Alley, with whom McDougal was wrestling. McDougal pleaded not guilty to the charge. Sergeant Clarke said that the contest was very rough. In the seventh round the contestants got outside the ring and struggled on the narrow ledge. The referee, Mr. Len Wilson, tried to separate them, but could not. Trouble looked imminent. The house was excited and the seconds rushed to the assistance of the referee. Eventually the pair were separated and Alley went back into the ring. Defendant, however, threw his arms about in a wild manner. He quietened down after a few seconds and then, without the slightest provocation, walked over and struck Naylor on the mouth.

Playing to Gallery. Asked his opinion of the match, wit- 1 ness said he thought the wrestlers were playing to the gallery. 4 Mr. Burt, who appeared for McDougal: You have a down on wrestling?—No, I like it. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: Clenched fists don't come into it, do they?— No. Sergeant Clarke maintained that the match had been rough throughout. Mi*. Burt: Where was Naylor standing?—He and the other seconds were standing about defendant. Mr. Burt produced a photograph of the incident, which showed that Naylor was holding on to McDougal. Mr. Hunt: You deny the charge, then ?—No, we say that we had extreme provocation. Mr. Burt asked witness whether Naylor had a hold on defendant or not, but witness said he would neither deny nor affirm the statement. Mr. Burt: Do you know that if a second touches one of the contestants, that contestant is disqualified? —No. Mr. Hunt: I'll disqualify anyone who uses his fists. Sub-Inspector Shanalian said that he had been present, at the fight, and said that the photograph did not show the incident in its proper light. Was There Provocation ? Constable Edwards corroborated the evidence given by Sergeant Clarke and said that two seconds each had hold of a man. McDougal yelled out "Let go!" Alley had re-entered the ring and Naylor had stepped clear of the melee before McDougal hit him. Sub-Inspector Shanahan: Was there provocation for the blow? —Not at the time. Did you think it necessary for the seconds to intervene? —They did their best to get the men back into the ring. What time would elapse between the time the seconds and the referee freed McDougal and the time when Naylor was struck -About 30 seconds. McDougal straightened up, looked about and then struck Naylor. Leonard Percival Naylor, labourer, said he was one of Alley's seconds on the night of the contest. In the seventh round, the wrestling was getting vigorous. McDougal had a lxeadlock on Alley and threw him out of the ring. Witness ran round the platform thinking that the men \ would drop to the floor. The referee told them • to break, but they would not, and he tried to force them apart. After they were separated he stepped back, but McDougal deliberately got him by the legs and tried to throw him on to* the floor. There was another melee, and when they had separated ! McDougal struck him. He had to receive medical treatment for the injury.

Mr. Burt: You were friendly with McDougal? —Before the match. Duties of a Second. Mr. Burt: Don't you know the duties of a second? —There are a lot of rules. Don't you know you must refrain from touching one of the contestants during a round?— No. Will you dispute that you were in the wrong?—l was not. When Alley got back into the ring, why didn't you let go of McDougalj?— He had hold of me. I could not let go of him while lie had hold of me. Mr. Burt, before calling evidence, asked Mr. Hunt to try to realise the tense atmosphere tliat prevailed at the bout. He said they would not dispute that McDougal struck Naylor, but would rather try to prove extreme provocation. Mr. Hunt: Is striking a man part of the game? —No, but there is a rule that if a second touches a man on the other side, that man loses the bout. If the referee wants assistance ho must call for it. Mr. Burt added that Naylor had a stranglehold on McDougal, who was heated and cxcitcd. Knowing that the second was in the wrong, he struck him. Counsel made a plea for leniency as a professional wrestler had to be careful of his reputation. His client had hitherto had a good . record, arid was tlio quietest man imaginable out of the ring. - Mr. Hunt: Have the Wrestling Association taken any steps in the matter? Why should I be bothered with it"? Mr. Burt: I.submit that you should not be. v . Arm Round Throat. McDougal was put into the witness box, and said that Naylor had one arm round his (throat. He yelled to him three times to let go, but the more he yelled the tighter Naylor held on. When he got to his feet, lie hit Naylor. Mr. Hunt: That's candid enough. McDougal added that Navlov was still hanging on to him when he got up. Witness was a bit excited. Evidence was given by Tom Alley, the other contestant. The referee, Len Wilson, maintained that McDougal was justified in striking Naylor. - Gordon Hutter, sports IYA, said he had the best proceedings. Naylor. hold roimd the ihr ? a f; j,;m. when McDougal platform be Would a in the ring?—No, as bad as a daS the boards they these men are as fall on. „ .ipfendaut £2 and costs, Mr, rr V3 ■ that ]ie Imd 1 'f en uite srd However, a man had been hit; X should nothave l %m , and he •oiild not overlook _th<sfc»