BRIGHT WRESTLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22398, 20 April 1936, Page 12

BRIGHT WRESTLING

WIN FOR MEHRINGER 808 RUSSELL DEFEATED LOSER UNABLE TO CONTINUE The professional wrestling contest at the Town Hall on Saturday evening between Bob ("Rebel") Russell and Pete Mehringer ended in tlio sixth round, Ilusse.ll being unable to continue after submitting to a perfectly-applied Boston crab hold. The gong went for the seventh round, but Russell was still scoring and ho eventually required assistance to reach his corner. Russell obtained the first fall in the third round by means of his speciality tho "suplex hold," which proved very effective.

Tho wrestlers gave a torrid, and, at times, exciting exhibition. Mehringer proved himself fast and clever, while Russell, living up to his reputation, showed a preference to mix matters freely.

Mehringer's weight was announced at 15st. 41b., and that of Russell at lost. 21b. Mr. C. Pollard referced both the professional and the amateur bouts.

Russell caused some amusement by pouring water on. his head boiore the commencement of the bout. As tho bell rang he rushed from his. corner with arms outflung and, taking Mehringer to the mat, secured a leg scissors. This was released after Mehringer caught his opponent in a toehold. Mehringer was compelled to release that, however, but quickly clamped on an. arm scissors. Russell secured a hammerlock, but was thrown with a flying mare as the bell sounded for tho end of the round. Tirst Fall Recorded Russell held his opponent in a headlock at the commencement of the next round, and was ordered to release what looked 'like a strangle. He again clamped on a headlock, but let go when Mehringer attempted to pick him up for a dump. Russell, tljen dropped his man with a leg trip and held him in a standing splits. Both men were now warmed up and holds wero freely exchanged. Mehringer was held in an arm stretch, Russell eventually converting that to an arm scissors.

Mehringer rushed his man in the third round and threw him with a chancery and bar armhold. Following this he secured a figure-four lcglock. Russell kicked himself clear and quickly grabbed his opponent's i,irnis and locked them together. He then sat back and threw his opponent over his head. Without loosening his grip Russell repeated this three times, rendering Mehringer an easy prey for a body press. Mehringer recovered during the rest period and Russell was hooted, lhat, however, did not seem to worry him and it was evident he intended to follow up any advantages he gained after dealing out punishment. It was then Mehringer retaliated and showed that he was quite capable of taking care of himself. Both men used their elbows freely and the crowd was wildly excited. Mehringer connected with two flying tackles, Russell taking refuge under the ropes when a drop-kick was attempted. Russell secured a hammeilock which he released when Mehiinger applied a toehold. ' Mehringer wasted no time in round six and soon bowled Russell over with three quick tackles. Following up this advantage he jumped on Russell and applied a Boston crab hold. The lastnamed attempted to break free, but was eventually compelled to submit. Amateur Preliminaries

Light-weight. —H. Franklin, 9st, 41b., beat K. Moore, 9st. 81b., securing a body press fall in the third round. Light-weight.—J. Walsh, 9st., beat C. Curtice, Ust. 61b., by one fall, gained in tho last round. This was an even bout until Curtice was trapped into a back slam. Middle-weight.—W. Jackson, list. 61b., proved too good for F. Walding, list., winning by two straight falls obtained in the first and second rounds. Middle-weight. —E. Johnstone, list. 21b., and W. Hanken, list. 41b., drew. Hauken secured a submission fall in tho second round with an arm crucifix, while Johnstone evened matters after obtaining a leg stretch and face bar. This was an excellent bout, both showing a wide variety of holds. DRAWN MATCH IN DUNEDIN FORSGREN AND BLOMFIELD [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Sunday In a hard, fast contest the Canadian, Jack Forsgren, and " Lofty " Blomfield wrestled a draw last evening in tho Town Hall. The bout was witnessed by a large crowd. Forsgren secured a fall in the third round with a Boston crab, Blomfield equalising in the seventh with a body-press, following four successive flying tackles.