SCENE AT WRESTLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21853, 16 July 1934, Page 10

SCENE AT WRESTLING

CONTESTANT ANNOYED ATTACK ON THE REFEREE CHAIRS THROWN INTO RING [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'! GISBORNE, Sunday Chairs were thrown and a wrestler came to blows with tho roforcc in a professional bout at Gisborne last evening. Tho excitement was caused by Walter Browning (New Zealand), 16st. 51b., who met Rene Michot (France), last. The bout terminated in the fifth round amid hooting for the Now Zealandcr, Michot winning by two falls to one, Tho contest was distinguished by rough tactics on tho part of Browning, who had a very hostile reception after repeated attempts at gouging. In the second round Michot scored with a body press. Browning equalised in the fourth with a Boston crab. After this fall had been awarded Browning roused the iro of tho crowd by stamping on the Frenchman's back.

The climax came in the fifth round. Both men were struggling outside tho ropes, and the referee, Mr. T. Smale, separated them, Michot coming back into the ring. Then Browning apparently lost his temper and struck at the referee, who, in self-defence, retaliated. Amid uproar further blows passed between Browning and the referee. Browning then picked up a chair and threw it at the referee, the chair passing over Mr. Smalo's head into the ring, and as tho latter closed in Browning threw a second chair, again over Mr. Smalo's head, into the ring. Mr. Smale then stopped the contest, awarding a penalty fall to Michot. Browning was hooted repeatedly a,s he left the stage, while prolonged applause was accorded Michot, who gave a clean display throughout.