WRESTLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12931, 29 July 1905, Page 7

WRESTLING.

PEARCE V. SANDOW.

A wrestling match took place between the Australian wrestler, Harry Pearce, and the young German " Sandow," in St. George's Hall last evening. Notwithstanding a charge of 5s levied at the door, there was a large attendance. The mateb was in Gr;e coRoman style, and the best two falls out of three. At a few minutes after eight o'clock the referee, Mr. Fagan, took the ring, followed by the contestants. Pearce had the advantage _in weight by a stone and a-half, weighing 14st-7ib, while Sandow turned the scales at 13st. Sandow was, however, the possessor of a better all-round physique, for Pearce carried most of his weight around the waist. It was agreed that no strangling hold should be allowed. Three minutes' spoil was allowed after each quarter of an hour's wrestling, and a like time after a fall. For some time neither mail succeeded in obtaining a hold, but Pearoe eventually brought his opponent 011 to his hands and knees. Both men, working presumably their hardest, gave a really scientific exhibition. Time out of number caeli man got a half-Nelson 011 to the other, but as often the other succeeded turning the tables. During the last four minutes of the first quarter of an hour Sandow had all the best of it, and just as tho timekeeper announced the first spell lie, through a half-Nelson, got his bulky opponent's shoulders to the floor. He was warmly applauded, and those who at first had felt sanguine of Pearce being the bettor man began to feel doubtful. When the men took the mkt again things became lively, and Sandow kept Pearce busy, perhaps with the object of tiring him. Pearce, however, obtained a body hold, and although he was forced off the mat he carried the young German on to it again, and with terrific force "bashed" him to the floor and effected a fall. Sandow remained 011 the mat unable to move, and it was soon evident that he was finished for tho night. As he . was very little better when the stipulated time was up, Mr. Fagan awarded the match to Pearce. . >

It was rather unfortunate that the wrestle ended so unfavourably, for throughout the young German had showed he was no weakling. He perhaps did not know quite as many of the finer points of the art as his opponent, but otherwise there was little to choose between them. Although Pearce was not in such fine fettle as Sandow, his circumference .prevented that wrestler from getting anything like a safe body hold. Sandow, judging by last night's performance, is the makings of a good wrestler. He is not thought to bo seriously hurt, for after a while he was able to proced home. A constable, however, took the precaution of taking the names of all those who were directly interested in tho match, which was stated to be for a wager of £25 a-side.