COSTELLO GETS TWO FALLS TO CAMPBELL’S ONE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23315, 26 July 1950, Page 10

COSTELLO GETS TWO FALLS TO CAMPBELL’S ONE

The Australian and New Zealand professional heavy-weight wrestling champion. A 1 Costello. 16.8, of Australia, defeated by two falls to one Joe Campbell, 15.3, of California, in the first bout of the Gisborne wrestling season in the Opera House last evening. The bout ended in the sixth round with a fall from a body press by Costello, who in the previous round had obtained a submission fall following a Dutch flip. Campbell scored a fall in the third round with a body press. A good crowd followed six rounds of fast and clever mat work well mixed with periods of horseplay and showmanship which is part and parcel of the game. Chunky, barrel-chested Costello Is similar in stature and possesses a number of the clowning characteristics of Dick Raines, whom "fans” saw in Gisborne last season. Apart from his showmanship, Costello is a very good straight wrestler and enough was seen of him to suggest that lie was in the very best class. Became Unpopular Probably on account of his Empire ties, Costello was soon the crowd’s idol, but he later became unpopular for nis frequent appeals to the referee. All were done to attract attention, of course, but many of the spectators took exception to his actions. .... .. Campbell was a clever foil for the Australian’s role as the “villain,” but he impressed for the fast nature of his arm work. The referee, Mr. IT. W. Duckworth, had a busy night's work. Costello appeared early in the bout to have had Campbell’s shoulders flush with the floor, but though the crowd roared for a fall, the movement was not to the referee's satisfaction, Both took turns at an arm stretch early in the second .round and on breaking free Campbell flung himself to the ropes, but Costello was not there to take the brunt of a prospective dropkick, for he was in the process of trying to do the same. Moving nonchalantly around the ring, Campbell limbered up with an occasional punch which invariably found its mark. Campbell beckoned to the Australian with his finger, so Costeho answered the call with a short arm scissors and was trying for a cradle when the bell sounded. The third round had a dramatic ending. Costello had the Californian groggy with repeated use of the flying mare and, when it seemed that all he had to do was* to pin his opponent's shoulders, Campbell turned the tables and scored the first fall of the evening. Neck Entwined in Ropes

Campbell had the Australian at his mercy in a crucifix and then a body scissors in the fourth round, but Costello showed that he was made of sterner stuff than it was earlier supposed. A cradle on the legs was broken by Campbell and on rising to the perpendicular Costello soon found himself in an unhappy position. His neck had become entwined in the ropes and it was only with the aid of the referee that he was freed. A now ruffled Costello tried to do battle after the gong had sounded for the close of the round, but the referee ushered him to his corner. Moving to the defensive, Costello took haven in a corner during the early stages of the fifth round, but Campbell pursued him relentlessly and dealt out a few heavy elbow jolts. Costello looked a beaten, broken man for a period until he flashed into action with a Dutch flip which consisted of somersaulting at his opponent and knocking him dazed to the mat, where he was counted out. The sixth round was only in progress two minutes when Costello after receiving a barrage of elbow jolts ended the proceedings with a quick body press.