"LOFTY'S" NEW HOLD

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 76, 27 September 1938, Page 17

"LOFTY'S" NEW HOLD

SUCCESSFUL USE MEEHAN LOSES BOUT There was an end-of-the-season atmosphere at the Wellington Town Hall last night when "Lofty" Blomfield beat Pat Meehan in what was expected to be the last bout of the year. (It was announced, however, that Blomfield may have another engagement.) The attendance was one of the smallest before which Blomfield has ever appeared in the local ring, and, although j there was quite a lot of solid wrestling, with lively interludes, excitement generally did not run as high as is usual when the New Zealand champion is in action. Blomfield took the first fall in the fifth round with a hold on which he has been working lately and which provides further evidence of his increasing versatility. Known technically as an arm strangle, it would perhaps be best described as a variation of the octopus clamp, being applied to one arm of the victim instead of both legs. It quickly caused Meehan to submit and Blomfield was visibly pleased with his success. In the seventh round Meehan, who, as usual, had favoured scissors holds, locked a figure-four grip on Blomfield's waist and, by forcing back the latter's chin, levelled the score. He was trying to do it again in the last round and had applied the hold when Blomfield flopped over backwards and the strain which was thrown on to Meehan's legs put him out of action. The weights of both men were announced at 16st 51b. QUIET BUT STRENUOUS. After a quiet but strenuous opening with head locks, the enthusiasm increased when fists and forearms were brought into play. They soon went back to serious business, . however, with Meehan generally taking the initiative. He relied mainly on, head locks and wrist locks, but towards the end of the round his activities were checked by a head scissors. "Lofty" used a head lock a la "Strangler" Lewis to open the second round, but things were not so good when Meehan's long legs were wrapped rouiid his chin. He came out with a barred toehold which he aggravated by planting- one foot in the middle of Meehan's back. ; The Canadian made him release the hold by hammering him on the neck and shoulders, starting a lively exchange of jolts and Meehan found himself held in a full nelson as well as suffering from a bleeding nose in the third rouhd. After breaking the hold he threw Blomfield against the ropes and hit him on the rebound with a jolt which Blomfield alleged involved a closed fist He then flattened the local man with a butt, although he hesitated to> come mi with another when he saw that Blomfield was waiting to catch him in the stomach with his feet After they had reciprocated with hammer locks Blomfield sat back contentedly with Meehan in a head scissors it to a standing splits which he had to endure to the bell. Meehan dived for the splits as soon as he came out again, squatting on one leg, while he pressed the other back on to Blomfield's chest. Blomfield replied with some more hammer locks which Meehan broke by swinging round with a vicious elbow. The battle was now beginning to warm up and, as frequently happens at such moments, the ring proved to be too small to hold the contestants; A visit was paid to the Press table and then Meehan tried to empty Blomfield into the laps of the police officials.

BLOMFIELD'S FALL,

Blomfield made matters awkward for his opponent in the fifth round with the aid of a short arm scissors. Later on he wrapped his legs round Meehan's arm, bent the latter's wrist backwards over his (Blomfield's) boots, sat on it, and took a fall at 3min 3556 C. In the sixth round Blomfield worked upon Meehan's affected arm, but was thrown into the ropes where he hung like a big spider. After starting with some butts, Meehan sent Blomfield skidding across the ring with throws from forward headlocks, bowled him over with a drop-kick, and was going in for more when Blomfield dived for a toe hold, and perchance, the octopus clamp, but Meehan quickly kicked free. Scissors work by Meehan occupied most of the remainder of the round. . Elbows soon started to fly m the seventh round and Blomfield went on to throw Meehan with chanceries until Meehan put on a figure four body scissors and levelled the falls at Imin 54sec. Meehan was all for repeating the dose in the last round, but Blomfield went into a defensive huddle, rolling himself up like a ball. It required some jolts and butts to make Blomfield open up but, as already indicated, it did Meehan little good. The bout ended at 3min 30sec.

Mr. Alf. Jenkins was the referee

AMATEUR PRELIMINARIES. Results of the amateur preliminary bouts were:— In the final of the combined clubs' flyweight championship, J. Prestney (Kilbirnie), Bst, beat H. Barber (Petone), 7st 121b, on points. There were no falls. M. Bell (Koolman's), list 101b, beat G. Grant (Koolman's), 12st 31b, on points. There were no falls. C. Croskery (Kilbirinie), lOst 51b, and C. Price (Koolman's), lOst 21b, drew. There were no falls. In a bout for places on the Kilbirnie Club ladder, L. Ruby, 9st lib, drew with K. Ruby, Bst 51b, on points. There were no falls. Messrs. A. Jenkins and R. Allen refereed.