WRESTLING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21939, 13 November 1936, Page 15

WRESTLING

WALKER BEATS LUNDYN ENTERTAINING SHOWMANSHIP In a bout that was notable more for showmanship than for real wrestling. George Walker, who claims the Empire championship, defected Alec (“Whiskers ) Lundyn, the bearded Esthonian, at the St. James' Theatre last evening. Lundyn gained a submission fall in the third round with a Japanese leg and am lock, and Walker equalised in the flfm with a head scissors and press following a ilying tackle and drop-kick. In the followin- round Lundyn shot right over the ropes when Walker evaded a flying tackle, tumbled into the orchestal well, and was unable to continue the bout. . Lundyn’s beard, of course, intrigued the somewhat sparse crowd, and for a man who presented such a vulnerable to an enraged Opponent he was singularly lacking in consideration for his foe. He slapped, punched, and kicked with the utmost abandon, quite belying the benign appearance which prompted the audience to greet him with cries of Father Christmas.” The wrestlers “mixed It with a will, and though much of their work was more spectacular than effective, it appeared to please the greater number ot the spectators. “Don’t Use -nse Whiskers”

Lundyn opened the bout with an openhanded slap. Walker retaliatin'* by whirling Lundyn round by the beard. Walker escaped at the ropes from a well-applied wristlock, but Lundyn soon had Walker in trouble with a headlock, and his efforts to escape drew the frequent admonition from the referee. “Don’t use those whiskers.” Walker held an arm-stretch after escaping from a head scissors in the second round, but Lundyn secured a head scissors with a flying leap. Lundyn threw Walker with halches. and was warned for following this up with a rabbit punch. After exchanges of kicks and punches in the third round, Lundyn secured a submission fall with a Japanese leg and armlock. From a double toe hold Lundyn worked into position for a Boston crab, but Walker crawled under the ropes. Again the crab was threatened, but this time Walker kicked Lundyn through the ropes. The referee became Involved in the fracas when he tried to prise the wrestlers off the ropes, and while Lundyn held the official In a strangle-hold Walker secured a headlock. The round ended with an exchange of jolts, Lundyn getting in a shrewd blow after the gong. Walker rocked Lundyn with a flying tackle at the opening of the fifth round, and followed It up with a drop-kick. He secured the equalising fall with a head scissors and body press. Hair-pulling, beard-pulling, punching, kicking, and other rough tactics lent zest to the opening exchanges of the sixth round, which did not last long. Lundyn, launching a flying tackle from the other side of the ring, failed to connect with his objective and shot over the ropes. He fell from the stage into the orchestral well, and could not return to the ring. Walker being declared the winner. The referee was Mr J. S. Shaw. The Preliminaries

B. Genet <9st 91b) defeated A. F. Rhodes (9st 71b) by two straight falls. J. Mauger (lOst) defeated J. Galley (lost 71b) by one fall, Galley being unable to continue. In an excellent burlesque of a professional bout, repleted with jolts, dropkicks, short-arm scissors, and even an Indian deathlock or two, T. Donovan (14st) drew with L. McEwan (I3st 71b), each securing a fall. Variety turns were given by Miss Olga Flint (acrobatics). Garland and Rosendale (tap dancing), and Pat Barnaxd (trick sketching and juggling). AN AMATEUR BODY AFFILIATION APPROVED (PRESS ASSOCIATION telegram.) WELLINGTON, November 12. A deputation representing amateur wrestling bodies waited on the council of the New Zealand Olympic and Empire Games Association to-night requesting the affiliation of an amateur wrestling association. ~ . Before the deputation came, the chairman said that the Dominion Wrestling Union was endeavouring to arrange a New Zealand tour by an Australian team of six wrestlers, a trainer, and manager, which was prepared to come as soon as a New Zealand amateur association could be formed and affiliated with the International Amateur Wrestling Federacouncil passed a motion that the Dominion Union should be formally admitted to membership of the association as soon as was practicable within the rules.