"THE ACE HIGH."

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 184, 5 August 1920, Page 3

"THE ACE HIGH."

WHOLESOME SPOKX

"The Ace High" is the' peculiar title chosen by a dub of young fellows as .the name of their physical culture school. It is a good movement and worthy of support by parents. The idea originated in the mind of Mr B. Hester, who is wellknown in boxing circles in Marllorou}*h. It means that young fellows, in place of roaming the streets of a night, have a club to attend, where they get tho benefit of much wholesome physical exercise, and instruction in the science of defending themselves when the occasion warrants. "The Ace High" is, in fact, the beginning of what may develop, if properly Supported, into tin institution that has been wanted in Blenheim since the town had a growing generation. In these times of high cost of living our boys have as much as they can do to pay their board and lodgings and supply themselves with necessary clothing, and, in the furtherance of Mr Hester's idea, the main difficulty is. the want of funds. Properly to equip the school of physical culture a full set . of gymnastic apparatus is needed, but the boys of their own endeav.or find that it is an hr.possible goal to reach. "They cannot steal, and to beg they are ashamed," so their energetic committee organised a boxing exhibition, for the purposes of raising funds to pay for the apparatus for the gymnasium. This exhibition, which was a credit to the promoters, took place in the Town Hall last night, and was successful fro.m every point of view. There Ws a large attendance, and the boxing was clean .md interesting. It was entirely local, no outside competitors being engaged, and the boys were keen and sportsmanlike throughout. It may be said that no one was out to make money by the show. It was purely and simply an .entertainment for the purposes set out above. The officials wer© as follows: — Manager, Mr B. Hester; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. E. Greig; referee, Mr A. Wanden: ring steward, Mr R. Waters; timekeeper, Mr G. "Wareham; assistant-timekeeper, Mr E. W. Green; official seconds, Messrs B. Simpson, A. E. Walker, N. Priddle, and E. A. Hill. " The tournament was opened by a few remarks from the Dt-puty-Mayor (Mr W. D. Pike), who explained the objects of the exhibition, and a.t the conclusion he presented the trophies to the successful competitors. Mr H. R. Ba,gge also presented, on behalf of the Marlborough Boxing Association, medals won at a previous tournament. *

Following were the results of the various bouts: —

A. Smith (7.2) v. G. Satherley (8.3). —The bout opened in the lighter boy's 'favor, he being the more aggressive. Smith's defence was not good, but Satherlev appeared to be too cautious, gaining an advantage only in the fifth round. The final showed, both to be willing. The round was made lively throughout, Smith gaining the vordict. C. Gear (11.3) v. J. Lewis (10.10). — Gear was inclined to clinch. He possesses a good left, which he did not make tho. best use of. In the third round Lewis went to the floor and Gear won applause for his sportsmanlike action in not taking advantage of his opponent's .slow recovery. Lewis made a. plucky effort to turn the tide, but Gear vmpeared to hove him safe, and he gained tlu3 verdict after a> bard fmai.

Two mites, Cecil 'Robinson (o3!bs) nnd Jack McDonald (7Hb<o staged a four-round bout which ended in a draw, the smaller lad showing the more science.

'C. D-mckloy (5.3) v. T. Vigga-rs (R.O). —The bout o^pened in foror of Viggnrs. Although Duncklev took a lot of Punishment he dogiedly fought 'in. The concluding rounds found both men about played out. At the f'nd of a most keen encounter the re-fere-e was unable to alter a. previous encounter's decision—a. draw again being the verdict.

G. Jackson (11.2) v. A. J. Parris (11.4). —Parris, who filled the place of E. Leslie, showed himself without ■■\ guard. Tliere was- a. lot of clinch-^ ing in tho bout, and at times some hard hitting. Jackson gained the verdict.

E. Greig (9.4) v. M. Black (9.4).— Groig did most of tlie fighting and in the second and third rounds Black went to the floor for and eight sveconds respectively. In the succeeding round ho took a. lot of punishment, finally taking the count in the fiftTx round.

J. Robinson (6.6) v. E. Williams (0.11). —-This was a rood, clean encounter. Although Williams moved about a lot and did a good deal of wild li'ittiii"; Robinson showed the better -defence, and gained the verdict.

F. Wilson (10.10) v. N. Balcombo '^.7) —Tho latter filled the place- of W. Rntherley. nnd his heavier opponent at onr-o showed, that lie was goin2: to try nnd malce tlie ■ hout of elwt duration. Pnnishiri^nt vas do-plt. out resp.rdlep«ly.. The litrlitivflidit soon shoved signs of pujiis'h--I'ioiit. Ho, however, manfully foncrlit out to . the end of the M-hednl'fl. four rounds, p;p+tinp; in :\ fpiv tellino: one« durinT the course. ~\Vi"*<on gained tlif vordict. To sho">v their apprecintion of "iho. o-nmest furhter of the ni'zht" a few of the p^dienoe subßr-ribrd the sum of £0 10" to nuroiiase tho lose 11 a tvophv.

. Tho finni nont. Br-v.ii.-:hnn (100) v. N. Androw (10.2) only f^nt a. few s-wonds, the latter talcin/j; the count.,