"SOCKS" FOR THE SERGEANT-MAJOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 154, 1 July 1940, Page 10

"SOCKS" FOR THE SERGEANT-MAJOR.

The "saucy sort of ehirts for eoldiers that eieter Susie eews" had nothing in discomfort compared with the "eocks" rather, elbowed —out to Sergeant-Major that Earl McCready, of Canada, British Empire wrestling champion, handed—or, Lofty Blomfield. Lofty took the final one on the chin . . . and that's 'how Earl McCready retained his title, by two falls to one.

Humbly we beg McCready's pardon. We said nasty things about his jolt, or his lack of euch equipment. On Saturday night at the Town Hall we saw the reason why Earl has not been using it to best advantage in recent days- His right forearm looked rather painful, but that did not stop him from using it on this occasion. He had to in facing the powerful attack launched by Blomfield and it proved a most effective secret weapon. The spectators packing the stadium shouted themselves hoaree in the most exciting match of the past three years.

From the opening gong to the final scuffle—after McCready had been declared the winner—the "heat" was on. The first round was one of the most hectic on record and at the close of it MeCready was ponring wit,h perspiration. Was he working! Blomfleld was giving the be.it he had In thie attack and against a less powerful defensive wrestler—and there is no better defensive wrestler in the world than McCready—he must surely have won. Blomfield's Mistake. It was a moment off-guard that beat hhn. with, possibly, a mistake in tactics in the second round. Blomfield was jolting explosively and from the start it seemed he had the upper hand. In the second he broke from a headlock to open a violent, jolting attack to the body and head. The fifth, a one, sent McCready to the mat and Lofty improved the position with a head-toss. McCready buttod off a further attempt, but staggered

to the ropes apparently dazed. It looked like JLoftys chance, but he "smelled the fox" and kept his distance. The indications of the subsequent action indiea.ted that he had made a mistake. . . . McCready had been badly dazed by those jolts. In the third Lofty trWnl a«ain and eight solid jolts had McCready staggering. He rallied, however, unleashed his own jolts, followed in on the third, seizod BlomfW-ld and whirled him up in an aeroplane spin

for a dump. Again lie used the same tactics and Blonitield went limp under a second dump and press. First fall to M c< , ready.

The exnhanges became more heated as the contest progressed and several times Mr. .1. McLean —who, incidentally, handled n difficult reiVreeiiig job well—had to hand our warnings. It was utrnnse to hear McOready being warned for strangling . . .

but he was nothing lacking iu rugged ness that night ! Tlio lifth was a. particularly hectic buttle with Karl throwing tackles and both standing toe-to-toe in jolting-cum-puni-hing encounters. From a trying leg-bar toe-hold Blomtield hauled himself by the doubtful expedient of upsetting the referee. . . . Not exactly ethical, but it was a good "gag." The Hon. K. Senvple, who was a spectator, saw tho joke anyway, and h< , knows something about ••grab*" and "bull-dozers" . . . and "manpower" too. In Lofty's Octopus. nionifrl.l was still on top in attacking power, mid in the sixtli hr again threw his weight into jolting attacks.. McCready replied, grabbed Lofty up and dumped him. He went in again with a jolt, but Lofty side-s.ti'ppod him neatly, and, whil- tho crowd roared in deafening excitement, he leg-tripped McCready and whipped on his octopus clamp. It was his fall, and they were equal.

It was now or never with Itlomfield, and he realised it. I'nder a hurricane of jolts McCready retreated and retreated, but w:;s cornered. Mr. Mcl.ean forced them apart, and as he did Lofty crashed in a beauly. He was lashing McCready now, and it seemed nil over, but again Mr. McLean burrowed in between. He tripped over a foot, and as he fell McCready took his chance. His whole weight went into a jolt that took Blomrield on the jaw. He went down and McCready dived on top for a press, and the victory. With blood up, they had to be held apart even then.

By one fall, taken with a forward octopus clamp. Ken Kenneth, of Auckland, had to grant victory to Dr. liiirto Hill, of America, but it, too, proved a most: exciting struggle. Hill, who has an i-nviable record, showed himself a bright, versatile and polished wrestler, but he had to work hard throughout. With more experience of similar matches Ken will be able to with the best. Hill was given' u ?rcat reception, and at the close had the tributo of "three cheers for u good sport." He earned them.

The amateur mntchcs resulted :—G. 'Moore, 8.10. bent U. Welson, 8.11, on points ; J. Wrisfllt, 10.5, beat D. Barry, 10.10, by two falls; 3. Adams, 11.4, beat H. Nelson, 11.4, by one fall.