KIWI BEATS SPRINGBOK

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 10 (Supplement)

KIWI BEATS SPRINGBOK

[By Hookeh.]

In a bout that was full of sparkle and good wrestling, and at times some hectic exchanges, Lofty Blomfield showed how it was possible to beat at least one of the Springboks, his policy being to dish it out hard, take all his opponent, Frank Forster, could give him and go back for more. This he did, and by going just as hard and perhaps harder at the finish ho was able to clinch the match on points. Footballers, take notice! Forster was having his first match in Dunedin, and he made a distinct hit. Although he was the “ bad man ” on tho night, he proved himself a clever and busy wrestler, wasting no time in getting into holds and showing enough science to keep his end up against the rest of the visiting matmen. He did not display the same technique of forearm jolting as was seen from his opponent, but he is in the right place to learn. The Springbok’s actual forearm jolt was not so effective as Blomfield’s, and as a desperate resource he used a fullblooded punch and sometimes a “ rabbit-killer.” This man from South Africa uses a very well varied attack, and bis principal moves on the night were his foot and stomach throws. He might have learnt these from a Springbok, since he leaps in the air, his two feet landing flush on his opponent’s stomach when his opponent is in an upright position. At the same time, he grabs the other man around the neck, and from this position his opponent has just got to go over his head. Two or three of these and his opponent is usually ready for the kill.

Wrestling Bout Full of Sparkle Blomfield Outstays Forster

Blomfield was having a night out, and has rarely given a better performance in Dunedin. He stood up to tremendous punishment at times, and all through was able to produce very good wrestling notwithstanding this.

On this occasion it was a flying body scissors, followed by a body press, with which Forster won the first fall in the second round. Other holds for which he showed a preference were the fullnelson, arm stretch, crotch hold, and hammerlock, and each of these he was able to work scientifically.

At times Forster strayed from the recognised path in Jem Mace style until brought to book by the alertness of the

referee (Mr Frank Anderson). Forster, however, had more in his repertoire, for he was prone to use the rabbit punch when other means of keeping his opponent quiet proved ineffective, and for this he was also rebuked on several occasions.

His chief asset was his stepover toehold, which ho worked a great deal (luring the bout to culminate in his gaining a submission fall in the seventh round with a reverse stepover toehold, seen here probably for the first time. He worked it very cleverly, indeed, and also made Forster feel the body scissors to some effect. Blomfield exploited the crucifix and hammerlock, and provided one of the bright interludes when he draped his opponent around the ropes. To the delight of the spectators he hooked Forster in the ropes like lightning, and left him hanging upside down. May it be added that he gave the referee little assistance in extricating the unfortunate Forster.

In the last round Lofty staged a grandstand finish, and the Snringbok could not match him, Blomfield carrying off the honours after one of his best displays.