BRITISHER FALLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 183, 4 August 1936, Page 15

BRITISHER FALLS.

CLARKE'S SHORT STAY. RUSSELL'S FOUR-ROUND WIN. INABILITY—OR WAS IT "FLU"?' Uninvited, Douglas Clarke, holder of thp Lonsdale Belt as the British professional heavy-weight wrestling champion, came to New Zealand to wrestle. He was accepted by the Auckland Wrestling Association, and he issued a challenge to the winner of yesterday week's bout between Joe Wood and Paul Boesch. Both those wrestlers were required in Wellington last night, but "Cowboy" Reb. Russell was sent. What happened? Clarke was beaten in straight falls in four rounds, in the dullest and poorest display seen in the Town Hall for quite a time. It has been remarked before that wrestling is a funny game, with lots of puzzles for the critic, and here is another. Is it to be cheers for Russell—or sympathy for Clarke?

Clarke says that it was influenza that beat him last night, and that he was persuaded to enter the ring against his own wishes. He had other things to say, too. . . On his past record he is entitled to claim a return bout, when lie has a doctor's certificate that he is fit to wrestle, and it is the only way that this new pjizzle will find adequate answer. Another Chance? From the 'financial angle, and on last night's display, the A.W.A. may say "No," but the association has plenty of precedent for saying "Yes." Russell, himself, was no attraction in his first match here, but the association gave him a second chance, and he proved himself. Douglas Clarke entered the ring last night wearing a dressing gown and trunks on which Union Jacks wore prominently displayed, and he was given an ovation. Before long he was being greeted with catcalls, tossed pennies, sweets and rolled paper—was counted out, and was pelted with balls of paper as he left, because he didn't wrestle, and because twice in four rounds he was pinned in body-presses by a solidly wrestling American. Clarke's Record. In moments of disappointment a crowd forgets lots of things—including records. Clarke has a record, and an authentic one. A Yorkshire coal miner, he has represented Great Britain 28 times at Rugby League—has toured New Zealand with British teams. He was a champion of the Cumberland school of wrestling, and he won the Lonsdale Belt for all-in wrestling in open contest in England. The standard there is good. On the other hand Clarke is in his late forties, and his opponent last night was a man in the early thirties. Was that the reason? Well, Clarke wrestled Tom Lurich seven times in Australia on his way over, and he beat him five times.

All in all, the evidence is such that last night's bout cannot be accepted at its face value. There is this to be remembered— men of much lesser reputation have lasted ■i full eight rounds against the best offering in New Zealand at the present time. All this does not say that Clarke is a great wrestler. As far as Auckland is concerned his capabilities have yet to be proved. The Amateurs. B. Dodds (10.8), a newcomer to the ring, made a good showing in beating J. Moore (10.3), in straight falls —a press in the second and a hammerlock in the third. He made it willing with what skill he had.' E. Pinches (9.3) beat P. Fribence (9.3)! in straight falls, both presses. Again it! was a willing bout, with Pinches on topi all the way. [ ! S. Roberts (7-10) beat L. Taylor (7.10) I on points in a ha'ftkfought contest. Roberts was another novice, and he made a vigorous debut. i F. Murphy (10.7) beat R. Double (103) ou points in a hard-fought bout. Double: made strong efforts, but Murphy was) always ahead.