WRESTLING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7078, 16 March 1910, Page 9

WRESTLING

WEBEE BEATS McMURDO FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF AUSTRALIA.. There was a great crowd present at the Melbourne Cyclorama, on March Bth, to witness the match for the Australian heavy-weight championship, in which Clarence Weber, of Melbourne, and Jas. McMurdo, of Scotland, were the prmciMcMurdo, who recently defeated his countryman, William Mackenzie, weighed 12.1, usainst Weber's 13.8. but he was all quality. •'. : ..';.; . „_ . In describing the contest the Referee" says: Twelve months ago McMurdo probably would have had no difficulty in throwing Weber, but on Monday night he had no chance whatever, the Australian had so vastly improved. After somo fine ground work in. which Weber was always top dog, the latter went within an ace of throwing his man, but was unable to hold him down "pinned" for the time stipulated. Weber, strong as a lion, shortly afterwards caught McMurdo up and hurled him with great force to the mat. McMurdo spun and wriggled a "treat," but at last the big man, gripping him firmly, gradually pressed hini over to,a fall. Time, Imm A' rest of five minutes, and the men came together again. McMurdo .made a very gallant fight of it, but Weber, working like a beaver, gave the visitor no rest. He tried one hold after another, oven going so fair as to use the full Nelson twice. Weber, obtained flying falls, but at last ha got such a combination of holds on to McMurdo that the latter's shoulders were slowly pressed to the mat. . The second fall and match went to Weber at thirteen minutes. Aleo Bain, the 17st Scotsman, who acted as Hackenschmidt's wrestling partner during the latter'e Teoent tour, has challenged Weber.