CORNISH WRESTLING

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1921, Page 3

CORNISH WRESTLING

I Blue sky overhead, green sward , underfoot, a light breeze from the sea, ; n ring 10 yards in diameter rimmed . with spectators ten deep, quick play of hand and foot, and the rigour of the game—lie game that lias been played in Cornwall from time immemorial! The “wra:stlcrs” shyly niid awkwardly come up to the committee lent and give in their names. They arc then matched according to their weight and record. They wiostle oil in rounds on the knock-out nysteni. Each competitor must strip to tho bull’ and don the regulation loose canvas ••jacket.” His oilier raiment consuls only of tight-fitting drawers and i sometimes) stockings. He must not j giip his opponent below the waist, hut | he rarely tries for a body hold. He j plays to get his favourite "hitch” on I the jacket, and the hitch is often sug-j g-.'siivo of “ju-jilsu.” When a, inau is thrown on iiis hack j ■ so that at least three of the four points j I touch the ground at the same time (two j I shoulders and a pin, or two pins and a j shoulder) liis opponent lias gained a ‘'back” and becomes a •'standard” (that is, lit' is standing) for the next round. There is no struggle tor mastery on the mat. lie may play for the “cram | arm and heel” hitch, the “fore hip,” I the "heel and toe,” or any other, or lie I may give liis man the “Hying mare,” -hut always lluce “sticklers” (umpires with sticks —old men wise in the cratt j aforctimci slowly revolve round each j pair io see that the wrestling is bona | tide ami the hitch a fair one. | ■a -k* & •& V? Exponents ol the ancient sport assemble from all parts ot the eontnry tocontend for money prizes varying from : I'll) .often with a clip or licit) to, IDs. ! The pair ol youngsters with round faces, sturdy bodies and legs, and beau- , t ifnl in own arms, are I rani the clay j works where the most lieautiiul brown anus in England are to lie found. They ; struggle together like young hulls, hut ; neither will stand long when lie meets ,-t slippery light-weight from St Stephens or Nanpean (also in tin' clay district-) in the second round. ! The game-looking fellow entered tin- I der a mini do guerre and matched 1 against a travelling scissors grinder is a yeoman fanner. Against every op- , p .ueni he will wrestle fiercely—neither asking nor giving quarter—and at the j end of t In' day lie w ill drive oil’ in liis ■ own. motor-car. Tiie romantic figure of tlie-champion ’ with liis pule and eager lace is as striking as a Greek statue, lie scarcely looks a "heavy.” but the rippling * muscles ul bis hack and chest tell ot ' enormous strength, lie will throw every man lie feels this year and next year, and until the lime comes when "youth will he served, my masters.” , There is many a trophy in his mother’s parlour which his skill and courage have gained for him in the mining camps of America and South Africa. a The second and later rounds sort out Hi.' pi izc-w inneis, ami at the finish, shyly and awkwardly as at first, the wrestlers come forward for their inouey, and if you happen to meet one of them afterwards in the street or on the railway platform (where lie is not at all an imposing figure), you will be wise to , remember the advice ol I’olonius and I "beware of entrance to a quarrel.’ I '.Yiili a gni) on (lie collar and cull ol \cur coat he can give you a turn which will land you on your head half a ■*’ dozen raids away. '