WRESTLING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 147, 24 June 1933, Page 25

WRESTLING

BETH IN AUSTRALIA

' One of the ernint wrestlers, "Big Bill" Beth, appears in the news in Australia vrhere-lio has been billed to meet Toln Lurich at the Leichhardt Stadium on July 1. • According to the publicity man, Beth wanted £140 beforo ho would step into the ring, and he also wished to cover himself with a sidewager for £100, but Lurich, so it is said, was not obliging iii that direction. PATTERSON'S EFFORT. "Ono fall each wag scored by George Walker and Jack Patterson in their match at tho Auckland Town Hall last Monday, and, after an hour and a half's strenuous wrestling, the referee declared a draw. One of the features of the contest, which was thoroughly enjoyed by a house that was smaller than, usual, was tho resistance shown by Patterson in tho last round, when Walker tried hard to get a winning submission fall with a. hammcrlock (reports the "Auckland Star"). "Tho result came as a surprise, for it was generally believed that AValker would hang yet another scalp from hifc belt. Patterson's record in New Zealand—four wins for as many defeats, with a draw thrown in—did not make him appear a man likely to stop the champion^ long run of successes. Although -the Amorican failed to take a win from his Canadian opponent, ho broko even with him, <Thd when he was. helped to hia. feet after a punishing final round, he was loudly applauded. Patterson weighed 16 stone dead, and Walker was announced at 14.5, although there did not look to bo that much difference between -the ,nien. "Kicks and open-handed smacks and butting and hair-pulling made tho contest ono-of the roughest of the season, and there were frequent bursts of hooting. The referee (Mt.'H/Sidford) had a busy evening, and at various times ,_.i iring the contest he warned both men. -Tho referee's frequent interference did not find favour with a largo section of the crowd,*and Patterson several times protested that he was being checked unnecessarily. In one instance the men wrestled on when Mr. Sidford had ordered "Patterson *to let go, and the official, .apparently to provo that any orders ho gave were to bo listened to, threw himsolf.into the fray, and did a ■bit of strenuous tugging for several •minutes tfntil-hc was abie to get'the 'Wrestlers ' apart. As MrY Sidford is himself a former holder of the Auckland amateur heavyweight championship his entry into the jumble of straining arms and legs and heaving bodies was hailed with glee. The'wonder of tho thing was that tho referee came out of the mjx-up with his silk shirt still •in tho one piece." COMING MATCHES. Tho shortage of wrestlers is still giving tho officials of the Now Zealand Wrestling Union concern, and with associations clamouring for matches they are having a worrying time. Jack Clarke, who underwent an operation to his hand after his recent match with Georgo Walker, will be out of action for some weeks yet, and until Rumberg and Oswald arrive some of tho associations will have to wait their turn patiently. The following matches have been arranged for the immediate future: —Walker v. Patterson at Wellington, Juno 26; Pcroira v. Mamos at Auckland, June 26; Blake v. Varga at Dunedin, June' 26; Patterson v. Blake * at Hawera, Juno 28; Walker v. Percira at Hamilton, June 29j Blake v. "Varga ■at Timaru, Juno 30. In -addition a number of. tentative matches havo been , arranged for Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, and Hastings for the first j week in July. EFFIGY OF "WHISKERS BLAKE." The* public will eagerly seize any opportunity for a joke. When "Whiskers Blake," tho wrestler, arrived at North Egmont for a short visit he was greeted with; the sight of an effigy \ of himself complete with vast quantities of red hair. The wrestler entered into I ; the joke, and remarked that it waa| • worth going a long way to see. ,