WRESTLING CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20627, 28 July 1930, Page 12

WRESTLING CONTEST.

WALKER DEFEATS RAY.

TWO FALLS AGAINST ONE.

MATCH ENDS IN FIFTH ROUND

Tho professional wrestling contest between George Walker, British Empire champion, and Torn Ray, Lnitcd btates, held at tho Town Hall on Saturday night, resulted in a win for tho former by two frills to ono. Tho Wrestling Association could not have chosen ii more suitable night. The huge audience had nlrealy experienced the afternoon's thrills of strenuous Rugby, and many a witty interjection or fervent instruction from tho back of' the hnll marked a quick association between the struggle on the turf and that on the mat, The main contest was notable for its thrills and its brevity It commenced just after nine o'clock, and by 9.40 the crowd was streaming out, satisfied with the showing of both men, but feeling that it was an early hour to concludo a Saturday evening's entertainment.

Ray had already shown himself a master of many tricks of tho game in his sensational win over Lundyn last Monday, but followers of wrestling freely expressed the opinion that ho would not have either the strength or the weight to repeat his performance against Walker. Tho weights wero announced as Walker, lost 51b., and Ray, 12st. 111b. A Bright Opening.

While the bout lasted there was ample to rouse tho enthusiasm of the spectators. There was n bright opening, each man making alternate quick moves to secure a leg hold. Ray caught Walker napping, sent him to tho mat, and struggled with a half-Nelson from which Walker broke. Maintaining aggressive tactics, Hay held long with a wrist-lock, Walker freeing himself and applying a head scissors. Twice both went over the ropes, once to continue wrestling until the referee went over to separate them. At the cloro of tho round Ray was warned for applying what looked like a "rabbit killer" from a distance, but was really a smack with both open palms on tho back of Walker's neck. In the second round Ray crawled through his opponent's legs, and later got out of a tight situation with a spectacular head spin. For a time Walker appeared groggy from tho effects of a couple of headlocks, but ho soon recovered, picked Ray up with a crotch hold, and threw him cleanly, but ineffectively. Tho latter went for a crab hold, but this was broken, and both somersaulted over tho ropes. There was a torrid opening in the third round. Walker had Kay in difficulties, tho latter trying to get out of the ting but being hauled back and well pinned through a cradle hold with the feet. Going at top speed, Ray contrived a figurefour and hammerlock in tho fourth, until Walker picked hini up on the shoulders while Ray held on with a head scissors. It was evident that the lighter man had not the power to force tho hammerlock for which ho was struggling, but a toe hold and a headlocl: caused Walker to tap tho mat and leave honours even The end came dramatically at tho beginning of the fifth round. Walker secured both of Ray's arms through tho latter's crutch, stood him almost on his head and quickly got both shoulders down to securo the referee's verdict. Three falls had been secured within five minutes, iind Walker had added one more victory to his growing Auckland record.

Amateur Preliminaries

Four amateur bouts were staged, the final ono between Gamer and LoVegrove providing the best exhibition. The results were:—

Bantam-weight -Ki'ha Hana, 7st. 41b.. beat S Brewer, Sst. lib., by one straight fall. Kisha Bana gained the first fall in the second round from a body press. Brewer was aggressive in the third but could not equalise). Middle-weights.--W. Hyatt, lOst. iOIb., drew with F Munce, lO.st. 1111)., each securing a fall. This was a lively bout, Hyatt with a combined Imrlv press and armlock gaining the fust fall. Munce drew in the third with a headlock. J. Simpson, list. 51b. (middle-weight champion), beat D. Gordon, list. 61b. Simpson got. his first fall from an armlock and body press in the second round, and the second fall from a cradle hold. G. Camer, list. 41b., beat It. Lovegrove, list 41b., by one straight fall. Camer secured the only fall from an arm scissors after a strenuous and even bout.

McDOUGALL BEATS EEERT

SURPRISE WIN AT DUNE I'IN

[BY TELEUr.AI'H.—PUE-'iP ASSOCIATION.] JJUN ED IX. Sunday.

Jn a wrestling contest in His Majesty's Theatre la: t evening Scotty Me Donga! 1 defeated Fred Fberl, by two falls to one, tho deciding fall being gained in the sixth round. It was a surprise ending as Ebert's tactics appeared to have exhausted Mc Don gall.