Blomfield’s Win in Furious Match; Audience Angry

Northern Advocate, 14 June 1938, Page 9

Blomfield’s Win in Furious Match; Audience Angry

Wrestling

A capacity house at the Auckland Town Hall on Monday evening witnessed a fast and furious match between Lofty Blomfield. 16st. 81bs., who won on a points decision from the exCanadian mounted policeman, Pat Meehan, Ifist. 41bs.. after each had secured a fall. The Wearing of the Green. Meehan came to the ring in an emerald green dressing gown with a shamrock emblazoned on the back. He also wore green tights, Needless to mention, the Irish element cheered loudly for him, with Blomtield fans striking up in opposition. Wild Wrestling.

Meehan opened hostilities with a punishing toehold, which Blomtield reversed to the same thing. Meehan, following up with a body scissors, had Blomfield in difficulties. Bringing into use various methods, Blomfield escaped to mix it with Meehan in a general scramble.

Evidence of Meehan's calibre as a wrestler was revealed at the very beginning of the bout, when it appeared that Blomfield had met his match. Severe jolting characterised the second round, both men standing toe to toe and smashing their elbows into each other’s face. This type of tactics appeared to please the onlookers, for they shouted and cheered lustily every time a blow was landed. The third round was notable for the lightning wrestling portrayed. Meehan applied a lightning arm-bar, which ho changed to a head-scissors, only to recoil from an elbow jolt in the stomach. Blomfield's tactics earned him the disfavour of a large section of the audience.

Coming out of his corner fast in the fifth round, Blomfield immediately secured a deadlock, followed, with a throw. Meehan escaped with a quicklyapplied Japanese arm-bar. and held Blomfield in that manner for several minutes. Suddenly he hanged it to a head-scissors, and .i.rew Blomfield on to the mat, but the New Zealander was quickly on his feet again, Meehan Fools Blomfield, At this stage, it was apparent that Meehan had been foxing, for he allowed himself to be jolted about the ring, and it appeared that lie was very dazed. Taking the advantage. Blomfield then followed up with another jolt, and as Meehan reeled back lie threw himself against the ropes and came rebounding off them for a butt, but Meehan jumped into the air for a drop-kick, but just missed him. Seeing he bad failed. Median banged the floor with his hand in disgust. Blomfield became very wary after that. Referee Busy.

Blomfield, in the sixth round, managed to obtain his famous octopus clamp, but could not stand up owing to Meehan frustrating his efforts. Finally, the referee, Mr McLean was compelled to break them when they became tangled up in the ropes. He found this no easy problem, for he could not undo their legs, and, much to the amusement of the spectators, he took several anxious minutes to free them. Then followed an exhibition of terrific jolting, especially on the part of Meehan, who showed that he was just as good if not bettor than his opponent in this gentle art. At this stage Blomfield was very groggy, and, after knocking the New Zealander down, it

was an easy matter for Meehan to press his shoulders lo tHo mat for a fall.

After the respite. Blomflelcl. with extreme caution, fooled Meehan to follow him into a corner. As he came in. Blcmfield held on to the ropes and kicked him full on the chin. Meehan went down as if poleaxed, and Biomfield pressed his shoulders to the mat. to even the falls. Decision Resented. It appeared in the eighth round that Meehan, who had just applied a Boston crab (which would certainly have obtained for him the deciding fall) when the gong wont to end the match, was ahead on points, but great was the surprise of everyone when Elomfiold was declared the winner. Disappointment was expressed by the onlookers, who showed their resentment of the decision in no small way.