THE "RABBIT-KILLER"

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 117, 13 November 1929, Page 6

THE "RABBIT-KILLER"

ALLEY BEATS VANCE

LOSER UNABLE TO CONTINUE

By three blows on the back of the neck with clasped hands, Tom Alley, an American, stunned Farmer Vance, a Canadian, in a wrestling match at the Town Hall last night, and; as Vance was unable to continue, Alley was declared the winner. There was a" small attendance, and a number were disgusted at some of the practices indulged in. The referee, Mr. J. Creeke announced before the contest that the contestants had agreed to bar the stranglehold and gouging; but that the "rabbitkiller" blow, which is a foul in boxing would be permitted so long as it did not travel more than six inches. The match was exciting, and the vaudeville side-play was amusing while the novelty lasted, but the method of winning seemed in the eyes of many foreign to the name of sport. Alley weighed (13st lib), and Vance (12st

Vance threw Alley on to the hard floor. Vance amused the crowd, with his grimacing and band waving. Alley secured a headlock that brought Vance to the floor, but the Canadian struggled clear. Vance won.a headlock that had. Alley writhing on the mat when pressure was applied, but broke away. He tried in vain for a double toehold. When they rose Vance pranced round the mat with" his clenched fists aloft and scowling at the American. Alley threw him with a wristlock, but Vance gained a headlock. They struggled hard until the gong. Vance tripped his oppon-ent-at the beginning of the second, but Alley kicked clear. Vance threw the American with a flying headlock. Vance got a double toehold, but Alley broke it with a headbar.' Alley crumpied Vance to the mat with a headlock, but Vance got away and poked faces in return. Both secured toeholds, and these were broken. Vance was on his feet first, and did a war dance around his reclining opponent. The Canadian got a body scissors which he changed for a head scissors, and then he slipped on Alley's own special favourite— the crucifix. Alley had to submit at 6min 28sec. "With a Tarzan<like attitude Vance came in for the third and attacked. He failed to get a body scissors, and Alley got a double toehbld, but a push in the face forced him to break. Vance missed another crucifix and Alley applied a body scissors, then a headlock. The wrestling was very fast and Holds and locks .were won and broken quickly.,. Alley was frustrated in an attempt to get a shprtarm ' scissors. Vance made a strenuous endeavour to pin liis man with a body press, but Alley sprang clear, and put a head scissors which Vance broke. Vance almost secured a hammer-lock, but Alley was strong enough to resist it, and they struggled on till the gong. There was some wild work at the beginning of the fourth. Vance failed to win a shoftarm scissors, and Alley retaliated with; a wi'istlock and body press. Vance wriggled away, and Alley then punished his opponent with headlocks. Alley did not appear to be as strong as he was on previous appearance* in Wellington. Vance secured a series of headlocks, and the American replied with a face bar. Alley got a toehold, but changed it for a body press and lost his advantage. Vance gained the ascendency once more with-a wristlock and head scissors, and he gave the former hold away for a toehold, which was broken at the gong Vance opened the fifth round with another headlock, but quickly lost it. Alley tripped his man cleverly and then won a shortarm scissors. For a while it looked as if Vance would have to submit, but he broke free. In turn they secured head scissors, and then Alley missed a shortarm scissors. As they came up Alley with his clasped hands landed a "rabbit-killer" —a blow to the back of the neck. Vance dropped. As he rose dazed, Alley again came down with his hands. Vance Hopped again. The third blow rendered him helpless, and Alley had no difficulty m winnms a fall. Vance's seconds worked upon I.im frantically, but he was but semi-conscious for several minutes and the towel was thrown in. ' . THE PRELIMINARIES. Rangi (sst 71b) and Chamberlain (6st) gave a bright exhibition. Chamberlain was.the stronger and did most of the attacking with a headlock and a head scissors, but Bangi's defence was good Kangi almost won a fall in the second round, but Chamberlain twisted out. However Bangi pinned his opponent with a headlock half a minute later. Eangi secured a second fall in this third round right on time. A. Lock (lOst 21b) quickly turned H. G R. Rogers (lOst 61b) over when they got to the mat, and successfully applied a body press. Lock all but won the contest with another body press in the second, but Kogers got clear. However, Lock pinned him. in the next minute. F. L. Upchurch (list 91b) succumbed to a toehold in the first round against E. Godfrey (12st 21b). In the second, Upchurch tried in vain for a toehold, but secured a fall with a body press They struggled hard on the mat at the opening S i? 6 "S d without gaining any definite j s;t. ? round was evenly contested and the referee gave the decision to Upchurch, who had a margin of points over the three rounds.

MS"? ! (9st 51b) and A- Woolhouse (Bst 101b took some time to get to the mat aava tailed to sustain a head scissors, and Woolhouse almost got a headlock. He held on, however, and five seconds before the end of the round won a fall with a half Nelson and then a body scissors and body press, Woolhouse did most of the attacking m the second, but there was i\." Sns Jt waß a S°°d bout. In the tnirU Bava gained a wristlock, but Woolhouse broke it with a push in the face iney were a minute before they got to the mat, and were not long there. The Indian was subjected to more face pushing, and Woolhouse tossed • his man to. the floor and was attacking at the gong. The midget twins, Leslie and Jim Garwood, who were popular at the previous tournament, again delighted the crowd witn a surprisingly clever exhibition The spectators showed their appreciation with a shower of coins.