LURICH BEATEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 261, 4 November 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

LURICH BEATEN

Clarke Brings Off Decisive BackLoop Slam. As a thrilling climax to the wrestling match at Leichliardt Stadium before a packed house, on October 21, Tom Lurich, previously undefeated in straight falls, was carried to his dressing room in the arms of two policeman, badly injured and defeated hv American Jack Clarke.

It was a sensational finale, and occurred after the third round had concluded. Clarke obtained his fall with a perfect back-slam, while Lurich was gripping him severely in a body-scissors.

Lurich was dumped heavily to the mat, and in tho process Olarke fell back upon him.

Lurich writhed in agony on the canvas, and received attention from, his seconds. But ho was unable to continue, and Referee McMastcrs crowned Clarke tho winner. Lurich appeared to be in great pain, and remained in his corner several minutes.

Then two policemen picked him up and carried him to his dressing room. The stadium's medical officer, Dr. F. V. MeAdani, examined the wrestler and found that he was suffering from a badlyinjured pelvis. ,

It was an unfortunate occurrence, for it happened at a time when both men were warming up to their work, and giving tho largo crowd the thrill of the year.

A few minutes before Lurich was injured there was a regular sacks-on-the-mill outside tho ropes, in which wrestlers, officials and police became embroiled. Lurich was thrown over the ropes, and Clarke followed him. Running berserk, Lurich picked up the piano stool and threw it into the ring. He then attacked the referee, who retaliated, and fists flew in all directions. Clarke then joined the melee, a.nd peace was only restored when Lurich was dumped with a back-slam.

The crowd stood on its feet and greeted Clarke's success with a deafening; roar, and there wore some hoots for Lurich as lie was carried to the dressing room. Clarko made an excellent impres-

He is a cool, calculating wrestler, with a variety of holds that should make him one of the most formidable matinen at Leichhardt.

Until the accident Lurich was doing well. Ho took a lot of punishment, but ho was never in difficulties, and his great strength enabled him to break every hold that Clarke put on him.

Tho match was crammed with incident, in which high-clafi=> wrestling and rough-house tactics were a feature.