SOLID WRESTLING

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 8, 9 July 1935, Page 6

SOLID WRESTLING

WADE AND BLO3IFIELD

NEW ZEALANDER IMPROVED

Solid wrestling between two power- " ful and well-matched men resulted from the meeting of Glenn Wade (U.S.A.) and "Lofty" Blomfield (New Zealand) in a ten-round professional heavyweight contest at the Town Hall last night. The result was a draw after the bout had gone the whole distance. Wade secured the first fall in the fifth round, and Blomfield equalised in the seventh, both falls being obtained by a body press following slams and a dump. The attendance was not as large as at the two previous bouts, and for this there were probably two main reasons. The weather was decidedly unpleasant and Blomfield had not had a prior opportunity to demonstrate locally the marked improvement in his wrestling ability. which was brought about by his recent visit to the United States.; While in America he had the experi-; ence of meeting some of the leading exponents of the sport, and absorbed some valuable lessons. He has also abandoned the somewhat wild tactics which he picked up in Australia and which, when resorted to in New Zealand rings last season, brought about his disqualification. Last night, when pitted against one of the most formidable of the visiting Americans, he indicated very clearly that he is now a force to be reckoned with. Tall and well-proportioned, he weighed ( in at 16st 101b—a full stone heavier than his opponent—and. in the course of the bout, exhibited great strength and real wrestling skill. Against a proven campaigner like Wade he was liable to find an unwary move prove costly, but he operated shrewdly and allowed the other man few opportunities. He was frequently and deservedly applauded for good work and carried with him the moral support of the majority of the spectators. The bout could scarcely be described as colourful,' but it was always interesting, and, in its latter stages, created much excitement. Wade was the "hard head" he had shown himself to be on his earlier appearances here. He generally allowed Blomfield to take the initiative and planned his responses accordingly and his work was so good that the fact that Blomfield was able to break even with, him was in itself a tribute to the latter. Both men confined themselves to straight wrestling and promptly obeyed the referee's instructions. Wade showed signs of dissatisfaction when a fall was given against him, but there was no doubt as to the correctness of the referee's ruling. A QUIET OPENING. Blomfield was responsible for the first visit to the mat,- taking Wade down with an arm lock. Wade soon reversed the position, however, and when they stood up again he'lifted Blomfield off his feet with a chancery throw. The men were spending most of the time in manoeuvring,for grips and little really- solid wrestling was done until Blomfield clamped on a head scissors. Wade jerked free and proved too lively when Blomfield endeavoured to repeat the hold. A laugh interrupted the air of quiet expectancy when Blomefild aimed a kick at the seat of Wade's pants. This was the signal for more action to be infused into the bout. Wade threw Blomfield two or three times with chanceries and was sent flying by a shoulder butt when he stepped in for another. The round ended with Blomfield holding a head lock. Blomfield resumed the grip in the second round but could not sustain it. Wade then jumped in and took Blomfield down with a face bar. The New Zealander worked loose and subsequently came close to forcing Wade to the mat with a reverse wrist lock. Blomfield was doing most of the'attacking and, after locking one of Wade's, arms between his legs, he smartly ■ applied a body scissors -.-as Wade tried to get clear. Wade suddenly retaliated with a reverse toe hold which caused Blomfield some trouble. The New Zealander was cheered-when he broke clear and again secured a body scissors. Blomfield gave Wade a sample of the reverse toe hold in the third round and' from it there developed a ' tangle of legs with the contestants catching an occasional glimpse of each other's faces by craning their necks sideways. Fortunes varied as first one foot and then the other was twisted until Wade finally kicked free. Blomfield. made free use of head locks and varied-them by throwing Wade in forward- slams. Wade put a stop to this treatment by giving Blbmfield a sample of the splits. The'latter cleverly broke the hold by catching one of his opponent's feet and trapping him into.a leg lock which he held at the bell.' Th c procedure of forward slams by Wade, interrupted by a shoulder butt by Blomfield, was repeated in the fourth round, Blomfield then using a short-arm scissors. Wade ended this grip by forcing Blomfield's legs apart in a splits but the New Zealander again proved capable, tripping up Wade and securing a leg lock. After spending a minute or two in a body scissors Blomfield finished the round squatting in a corner with Wade try- . ing to double him up. FIRST BLOOD TO WADE. A full nelson was used by Wade ; early in the fifth round but it did not : last long and he was soon resisting a i head scissors. ' He turned the tables ,- by doubling back one of Blomfield's ■ legs and the- latter tried to get out of • it by grabbing the referee's legs. The 1 only result was that he had his face stepped upon, but when he again locked 1 his arms round the official's legs the ■ contestants were ordered to break. Wade was not to be denied, however, and threw Blomfield with a series of forward slams. These- were followed up with a dump which paved the Avay for a fall at smin 4sec. Wade came out in the sixth round t apparently determined to repeat the i" -oerformance but Blomfield took refuge ;in a corner. " He succeeded in up- • ending Wade with a splits hold and when the American got loose he re- ; treated before his opponent while gin- • gerly working one of his legs. ' Blom- , field subsequently came close to ■ securing a Boston crab but Wade • pushed him through the ropes before •he could step over to complete the grip There was more activity now, : with holds applied and broken in I rapid succession. • Blomfield was unsuccessful in going for a hammer lock i and narrowly escaped being tossed ■ over the ropes. He was held in ; a : head lock when the bell rang". • ' A reverse wrist lock sent Blomfielc • to' the canvas in the seventh .rourtd ■ but he proved equal to the .occasion, ; capturing Wades-right-arm and;:head ■ between his legs. , After throwingWade with forward slams several times Blomfield picked him up and1 dumped him. He threw his ■ whole weight ' across Wade's shoulders and, though the latter wriggled desperately;, Blomfield was awarded an equalising fall at 3min 6sec. The crowd showed its1 - approval of the turn of events in no uncertain manner. . ■ ■: Wade was looking for action when he came out for the seventh round but Blomfield was ready for him' andresnonded vigorously to everything he forward. Both men , had their successful moments and also their reversals, while the crowd loudly encouraged them, Blomfield apparently, being the favourite. An attempt by Wade to throw Blomfield, out of the ring was'stopped'by the referee and he desisted from throwing Blomfield with chanceries when the latter threatened to .charge into him. Neither man succeedecl in clinching the match before the final bell rang and the referee raised both arms, signifying a draw; Mr. A. Jenkins was the referee. AMATEUR PRELIMINARIES. The amateur preliminary bouts resulted: — i G. McDonald (list) defeated J. Scoijt ; (list 41b) on points. ' J. Ellis (Bst) defeated C. Alcock (7st ; ,81b) on points. J. Stewart (12st 121b) defeated J. Kerr (14st) by two falls to one. C. Anderson (13st) drew with T. Seminofr (12st 131b). There were.no falls. ' - Mr. J. H. Thompson was the referee.