ERN ANDERSON TOO CLEVER FOR HOGG

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6535, 16 February 1928, Page 6

ERN ANDERSON TOO CLEVER FOR HOGG

Wins Deciding Fall in Exciting Last Round

'«3TILL N.Z, HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

A good house filled the Empire Hall last night to witness the contest for tho heavyweight wrestling championship of New Zealand. After an exciting, and at times, willing encounter, Ern Anderson, of Palmerston North, retained his title. Hi. challenger was W. E. (Wally) Hogg, a New Zealander who has lately been wrestling with considerable success in Australia.

Three interesting amateur bouts were staged as well, and a most enjoyable evening's sport resulted.

AMATEURS. Davidson (9.8) v. Downs (9.6)

Davidson is a well-built youth from Waipawa and in the first round speedily engaged a double Nelson. Tho Palmerston North boy, Downes, improved in the second round, though Davidson was the main aggressor. In the third round Davidson quietly secured a body holt and with a half Nelson had his adversary pinned. • Boyd (12.0) v. Murphy (12.0). Two Palmerstonians —"Curly” Boyd (Longburnj and "Mike” Murphy provided great entertainment in the nest bout, which went the full distance of three five-minute rounds. Both weighed 12 stone.and were evenly matched. They also made the pace a cracker, keeping the house on its feet all the time. A drawn decision met with popular approval.

Anderson v. Boyd. Two boys—lvan Anderson (brother of the champion) and A. Boyd next met at catch weights. Both gave a fast, scientific and exciting exhibition. The first two rounds were very even, though Anderson held the final advantage. In the third round he pinned Boyd with the double Nelson. CHAMPIONS CLASH. The weights for the big contest were announced as Hogg 14 stone, Anderson 13 stone. Both appeared very fit and | over eight rounds of 10 minutes, gave a fine exposition of the ancient sport. Bound one saw much clever work, Anderson being the more aggressive. Both secured holts in turn, but the round ended evenly. In the second round, Anderson again wont after his burly opponent trying for a toe holt and wrist lock, but Hogg wriggled off the mat. Hogg at this stage was playing a waiting game against his wily opponent, who tried the scissors on the leg without success. Both applied head holts in turn in the third round. Hogg tried the too holt, but Anderson cleverly broke away. The champion next applied the leg scissors but Hogg knew too much. Finally he secured the toe holt and wrist lock, the gong bringing the challenger welcome relief.

Anderson Secures First Fall. In the next round, after breaking Hogg's head hold Anderson applied the head scissors, but the challenger countered. Both were now making things very willing, the crowd being on tip toes all the time. Suddenly Anderson saw a chance and applying a leg scissors to the head, and a wrist look, pinned his man in the fourth minute of the round. In the fifth round, both tried the cross-buttock but were too evenly matched. Anderson now took a spell but Hogg could not secure a holt, both rolling oft the mat. Eesuming tne attack, Anderson applied a half Nelson for two minutes but the gong again brought relief. Hogg Evens Up.

After they had been going for about two minutes in the sixth round Hogg secured a half Nelson, and a leg grip which pjnned Anderson at the end of three minutes.

Both showed great cleverness in the seventh round, attacking and counter ing with remarkable skill. In trying “the flying mare" Hogg gave Anderson a chance for the body scissors, the gong again proving Hogg’s salvation. Anderson Wins. Anderson early dived for the feet but was cleverly evaded, Hogg again waiting. A bit of cannibalism roused Anderson, and after a hectic minute he secured the winning fall with a punishing head holt.