BRIGHT WRESTLING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 258, 14 October 1932, Page 3

BRIGHT WRESTLING

KARASIC BEATS DEMETRAL BOSTON CRAB EFFECTIVE. BOUT TERMINATES IN FIFTH ROUND. One of the golden rules of wrestling was broken by Harry Demetral, the Greek matman, in his match with the Russian, Al Karasic, at the Hastings Municipal Theatre last evening when he allowed his gaze to wander from his wily opponent to the referee, and Karasic caught him unawares to secure a fall and the match with the most deadly hold of the game, the Boston Crab.

Slapping and gallery play bulked fairly largely in the bout, which was scientific and fast enough, and the majority of the people present were afforded good entertainment. For four rounds Demetral was in the ascendant, and with a clever fall to his credit, it looked as if he might score a good wm over Karasic, whose display was pot quite up to what was expected of so prominent a grappler. It was in the third session that Demetral secured the first fall of the match after being thrown heavily four times by the headlock specialist. The fifth session had barely commenced when Demetral started arguing with the referee, and Karasic closed in to throw the Greek and apply the Boston Crab. Demetral was .quick to submit to a fall, but for some reason or other the referee delayed giving a decision, and in the meantime Karasic applied terrific pressure. to leave his opponent in a state of collapse, Demetral’s second, assisted by Ike Robin, worked despei Htely during the interval to bring him round and availed themselves of the extra two minutes, but without success, and the bout was awarded to the Russian. The pair were perfectly matched physically, and but for the unfortunate ending the- bout promised to be the most lively yet witnessed this season. However, the large audience' went away satisfied. A contributory factor to this happy state of affairs was the excellence of the amateur bouts. There is no doubt that the Hawke’s Bay Wrestling Association is fortunate in possessing a number, limited though it might ue, of fast, clever amateurs, who provide first-class entertainment. Curiously enough each of the five amateur bouts ended in a draw, the WilsonMace special match being an outstanding one. Prior to the commencement of the professional clash Ike Robin issued a challenge to the winner. THE BOUT DESCRIBED. After some preliminary sparring Karasic brought his man down with an arm bar, but Demetral freed himself, the latter replying with a head lock from which he was violently thrown without bringing his man down. A bunnyhug by Demetral made Karasic squirm but he scoon swung clear and threw the Greek with a flying mare. An arm bar by Karasic saw Demetral jump up onto his opponents’ back to break the hold successfully and and pair then went to the mat with Karasic in a headlock from which he broke clear with a leg twist. Some desultory wrestling in the middle of the ring saw Karasic deliver a resounding blow to Demetral’s midriff and then the Russian secured a double arm lock. A flourishing of fists in an endeavour to connect with a rabbit punch was a preliminary to Karasic administering some face distortion to his opponent. An endeavour to give some more bunnyhugging to Karasic saw the hold broken by some playful digs in Demetral’s ribs with two thumbs and "the gong found them struggling on the floor for the advantage. As the gong went Karasic made a show of fight. KARASIC SHOWS FIGHT. Karasic came out for the second waving his arms in windmill fashion which did not allow Demetral to get near him. Demetral finally secured a headlock which the Russian broke by a few punches directed at Demetral’s ribs. The two then became embroiled on the ropes in some wild holds and when the referee endeavoured to separate them the Greek stepped aside, but Karasic perhaps thinking that the referee was Demetral secured a headlock on him and threw him to the canvas, On rising, however, he shook hands with the referee. On resuming the Russian stood on the ropes in a corner and endeavoured to jump on Demetral from this elevation, but was ordered down. On returning to serious business Karasic secured a toehold with leg up the back, Demetral breaking free with a kick after some struggling. Demetral went into a body scissors, from which he obtained a crucifix during which he had to suffer much kicking on the head and face. RUSSIAN’S SHORT NECK. . The Russian threw Demetral with a flying mare, and on rising Demetral tried for a headlock, but found Karasic’s neck too short to give him a grip. A face bar and body scissors saw Karasic in difficulties, but he wriggled free. On rising Demetral used his fists slightly before coming in close to bring the Russian down with a reverse Nelson, which he changed to a short arm bar and a head scissors in which the gong found them. Shoulder butting by Demetral opened the third, but he was not long in being caught in a headlock. From this neadlock the Russian threw Demetral with a buzz-saw. He repeated this on three more occasions, Demetral endeavouring to show that he was feeling groggy. As the Russian came in again to repeat the effort for the fifth time Demetral quickly administered a combination crotch-cradle hold from which he was successful in obtaining a fall, the first of the match. THE FOURTH ROUND. Dinictial opened the fourth with a severe headlock on the Russian. Amidst great snorting and stertorous breathing the Russian rose to his feet three times while in the hold only to •be again brought down. Karasic finally wuggled free and then they both ivent into beadlocks, rolling over out of the ring Demetral, with a heiidish grin on his face winch was not even wiped off by several kicks in the face, secured the Russian in his famous keylock the Russian, after some st rugging, getting under the rapes. With Karasic jammed in a corner both took part in some bunny-hugging which resulted in the Russian going through the ropes. He remained on the floor there while he tied hjs boot and the

referee counted to six. Demetral then secured a side head chancery in which he administered some knuckle rubbing, but Karasic replied with a head scissors and a short arm scissors. A savage kick by the Greek gave him relief and then he tried for a standing splits, his efforts being interrupted by a return of his own medicine when the Russian kicked into his face.

Demetral showed fight at the beginning of the fifth, but they soon settled down. They indulged in some more bunny-hugging in a corner and when the referee broke them, the Greek entered into an argument with the referee over some objection. While this was taking place Karasic rushed at. the Greek, sent him flying and quickly secured a Boston Crab in which he jumped heavily on the Greek’s back The latter tapped the mat as an inidcation that he had submitted to the fall, but for some reason the referee was slow in awarding the fall and the Russian in realising that he had se.cured it. During the delay Demetral was suffering punishment as a result of Karasic jumping on his back and he had to be assisted to his corner. He was not prepared to continue when time was up for the next round to commence and the match was therefore awarded to Karasic. Demetral had to be assisted from the ring. Mr R. Nehoff was the referee. THE AMATEUR BOUTS NO FALLS SECURED. The results of the amateur bouts, for which Mr D. Annan was the referee, were as follow Morltey (Hastings) lOst 81bs drew with Stewart (Heatings), lOst 91bs.— The pair were evenly matched, but Morley made the most of his opportunities and was the aggressor throughout. He came close to securing falls on several occasions, but found his man difficult to finish. There were no falls registered and the referee awarded a draw.

Small (Hastings), I3st. 81bs. drew with Coutts (Napier), 13st. 41bs.— Coutts was the more forceful wrestler neither of them gave a very extensive display of science. Small did not have the same strength of his op ponent who, however, showed good defence. No falls wefe secured bv either.

Mace (Napier) lOst. 41bs., drew with Wilson (Napier), lOst. 71bs —Both were very quick and knew more than a little about the finer points of the game, giving a great display of holds and quick scientific wrestling. Mace was the stronger and better maintained the hot pace which was set in the two opening rounds where he had a general advantage, but Wilson several times had his man in difficulties with body scissors. Wilson commenced the third round vigorously, but he was soon in difficulties with an arm bar and headlock. Wilson began to tire in the fourth round but fought back gamely to Mace’s varietv of holds ana came near to securing a fall in the last round with a body press. The last round resulted in further fast and vigorous wrestling, but again no falls were registered and the best bout of the evening ended in a draw. s Rangi (Hastings) list 31bs, drew with Ormsby (Hastings), lOst. 81bs.— I’he bout was characterised by fast and vigorous wrestling of the rough and tumble type which provided plenty of amusement interspersed with some quite good serious work. They were evenly matched in all respects and again the gong went for the last time without any falls being registered, the result being a draw. Ericksen (Hastings) 12st. 41bs, drew with Kent (Napier), list, lllbs.— Strenuous wrestling marked the contest throughout, both boys being evenly matched and able to give good ac'its of themselves. There was a great deal of hard work done with first one and then the other on top, but neither could quite finish off his work, although Kent came near to securing a fall at the end of the second, Ericksen being saved by the gong. The third and last round again saw much strenuous wrestling take place, Kent for the second time coming near to securing a fall with a body press. A draw was the result.