GOOD DISPLAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1940, Page 14

GOOD DISPLAY

M CCREADY & CORBETT

WRESTLING At TOWN HALL

There was a good, if not outsize, attendance at the .Town. Hall last night to see Earl McCready, Empire wrestling champion, fulfil the first local appearance of hi- fourth tour of the Dominion. In the other corner was Joe Corbett. the bostonian, who helped to open the local season, and easily thp best shov of the season was the result. With 99 per cent, clean, skilful wrestling, the men had the crowd keenly interested the whole time, and frequently as keenly excited as they ever are under the influence of the more rugged antics which are so often too much in evidence; McCready won by a fall in the sixth round. At 17st 21b McCready had a weight advantage of 61b.

McCready, with his injured arm back to its normal shape, looked to be in particularly good nick, and there was certainly more life in his wrestling than has been seen for a long time. Corbett. against an opponent who suited him more than Raines, was able to show that there are good grounds for his reputation as. a' clever, orthodox matman. '

Corbett came across with a brilliant move in the first minute of the bout when he broke a combination arm and head lock an" crashed McCready to the mat with an arm bar. Moving like a couple of bantams, they snapped out of one bold and into another in rapid succession, with Corbett always ready to take the initiative. They finished the round reciprocating in toe holds. McCREADY RESPECTFUL. In the second round McCready came out of a crucifix with a death lock applied with the arm and nearly stood Corbett on h?s shoulders before the latter kicked free. Corbett replied with a hea^ scissors and an arm stretch, and, by the time the latter was broken, McCready was regarding him with considerable respect.

Both men were quick to scramble clear of danger when it threatened. Corbett had some difficulty in getting away from an arm bar, but he responded vigorously with a ' hammer lock and a cradle hold. McCready was getting rid of a few pounds in the form of perspiration.

Hard work on the mat continued in the fourth rouno until Corbett decided that the quickcs way out of a double toe hold was to clout MnCready across the jaw. He >/as then bailed up in a corner while McCready threw a few back in exchange.

McCready rushed his man against the ropes with a b<~ar hug in the fifth round until discouraged by another jolt. From a full nelson Corbett shifted into a hold in which he had both feet planted on McCready's shoulders with the latter's arms stretched above his head. McCready paid Corbett the compliment of escaping from his holds with as little delay as possible, as well as throwing a,ll the weight he could into those applied on his own account.

Corbett wa still looking for work in the sixth round, and, although he met with his share of setbacks,, he still seemed to be doing all right until he was misguided enough to indulge in flying tackles. He connected with one but the next sent him sliding off McCready's shoulder for a crash landing, a body press, and a fall against him at 4min 35sec.

At the next bell McCready raced into the fray as if he wanted, to settle the argument there and then, but Corbett, once he ha. found his feet again, was as full of fight as .ever. In the latter stages of the round he tucked McCready's fct under his armpits and applied th- pressure. McCready showed every sign of being in pain, but although the crowd yelled excitedly, he was still resisting when the bell brought him relief. • Corbett went for the same hold in the last round and,, missing, tried out some of his cradle holds. • Failing to stand McCreadfy on his shoulders, Corbett slipped into his Japanese key lock, but once again the time was too short for him to press it home. Both men were heartily cheered for their effort.

Mr. Alf Jenkins was the referee;

THE PRELIMINARIES. Results of the amateur bouts were:— R. McColl (Kilbirnie), 9st 101b, beat A. Thompson (Kilbirnie), 9st 91b, by a fall in the third round. C. Teague (Koolman!s),- lOst 101b, beat W. Cook (Kilbirnie). list 21b, by one fall. '. •

T.,Twohill (Kilbirnie), lOst 41b, beat W. Adams /Koolman's), lOst 21b. on points. There were no falls.

In a five-round bout between two local professionals, C. Croskery. list 61b, beat P. McCashin, list 41b, on points, one fall each.

Mr. Ray Allen was the referee,