WRESTLING TITLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20392, 22 October 1929, Page 14

WRESTLING TITLE.

RETAINED BY, EKLUND. VANCE AGAIN DEFEATED. CHAMPION SECURES TWO FALLS. The return match for tho light-hcavy-Weigh't < wrestling championship of the world, between Clarence Ek'.und, holder, and Farmer Vance resulted in a win for Eklund,, by two falls to one. The champion secured the first fall in the third round, Vance evening in tho fifth. EkJnnd, I howevor, retained his title in the following round'just as "Vance looked a likely winner. It was hard, scientific wrestling all the way, , both men realising what was at stakeJ Vanco had to guaranteo his opponent 4 £4OO, win, loso or draw. There was a largo attendance at tho Town Hall, whicli, however, was not filled, and Vance will Jose on his guarantee. Vance was & big favourite with the crowd. Tho usual amateur preliminaries were held prior to the title match, and a feature of them was tho appearance of two baby wrestlers, Reggie Arthur, 2st 6!b, and Jackie Alley, 2st 21b. The lastnamed displayed, a number of tricks favoured by his father, Tom Alley, who had charge of tho juveniles. Tho t crowd cheered with delight, and long ero tho bout concluded pennies and silver coins were thrown into tho ring. A regular shower of coins went forth when the lads had concluded their exhibition, and their money-boxes will ho considerably enriched as a i'esult. Mr. Len. Wilson refereed tho amateur bouts, while Mr. Val. Dunne had chargo of the professional contest. Prior to tho commencement of this Tom Alley and George Walk®'' were introduced to the crowd. They are to meet next Monday night, in tho Town Hall. 'I . ' Vanco Finely Trained. Vance looked finely'trained, and weighed but half-a-pound over 12st. Eklund's weight was 12st 61b. Tho men were soon on the mat after Eklund had obtained a leghold. A good deal of sparring ensued beforo Vanco applied a head lock and then a wristlock. Tho latter hold had Eklund in difficulties for some minutes. Eklund failed, with a head scissors and also a standing wristlock. Vanco had tho cliampiomjn a headlock, but lost it just before the gong. It was a hard round of scientific wrestling. Early in the second round Vance obtained a head scissors and then a double armlock. Eklund was down again with a wristlock, but ho fell through the ropes and the pair were recalled. The champion was in difficulties with a scissors on the arm and headlock, but he effected a clever escape. Vance had another strong arm scissors at the gong. Eklund broke a wristlock by a similar counter-hold, but was then caught in a head-scissors before ho could reach tho • ropes. Eklund tried hard for a hammer-Jock,Sand,-although only partially successful, /ho secured a fall with tho hold, combined with a scissors on the other arm. The ! round had been seven minutes in progress. The men were through tho ropes early in tfta fourth round, and then Vance misst.,l with a headlock. Eklund was sent4o. the canvas with a wristlock. The champion was hooted for bumping Vance's head-on the mat.; A toehold had Eklund struggling hard. Vance changed to an arm scissors, but ho could not hold the champion. There was wild cheering wJTeh Vanco threw his opponent with a heach'ock. Another throw and hold had Eklund groggy at the bell. After a littlo sparring and manoeuvring [Vance secured a headlock, changing to a reverse before Eklund rolled under the ropes. He was slow in returning to the ring. Eklund was soon thrown again with a reverso headlock, and was then pinned with an ordinary headlock and body scissors. The occupants of the stalls jumped from their seats frantic with excitement, and the whole crowd cheered delightedly. Advised from all parts of the house to keep cool, Vance was cautious at the opening of the sixth round. He threw Ekluncf with a headlock, but the champion replied with a toehold which had Vance in difficulties. Securing an arm bar in addition, Eklund was not long in gaining the deciding fall. Amateur Preliminaries. Light-weight.—J. Holden, lOst 71b, beat Ji McComish, 9st 131b, by two falls. The first was obtained in the second round by means of a body press and crutch hold. In the final round Holden pinned his opponent with a harntnei'lock throw. Feather-weight.—A. Webb, Bst 131b, beat C. Anderson, Bst 121b, by one fall obtained in tho first round Lv a combined head and armlock. Feather-weight.—W. Williamson, 9st . 41b, beat H. Brewer, 9st 21b, by one fall secured in the first round with a reverse full nelson.