WRESTLING MATCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9389, 31 March 1892, Page 3

WRESTLING MATCH.

A wrestling match for L 25 a-side and the lightweight championship of New (Zealand was held in the City Hall last night, but was rather poorly attended, only about 150 persons being present. This was rather a pity, as there was not the, slightest doubt that the match was a thoroughly genuine one, and it afforded one of the best exhibitions of wrestliDg that has been seen in Dunedin. The competitors were Michael Powley, the light-weight champion of New Zealand, and Robert Fisher, the light-weight champion of the West Coast, and the one who obtained a majority of faUs in three styles, which had previously been agreed upon, was to be declared the winner of the match. The styles were Cumberland, Cornish, and catch-as-catch-can (Caledonian rules). 'As no one could be got beforehand to perform the duty of judge, Mr J. Capstick, at the urgent request of the audience, consented to act in that capacity. At about 25 minutes to 9 the competitors came before the audience—something like an hour's time being previously taken up with an exhibition of wrestling between Thomas Churchill and Daniel Smith. Powley, who weighed lOst 41b, looked the likelier man of the two to win the match, judging from his physique; but Fisher, who was of much slighter build, weighing only 9st 101b, proved a wiry customer, and it was soon seen that there was not much to choose between the two, although Fisher exhibited rather better form than his opponent. The choice of styles to begin with was decided by the turn of a coin. Fisher winning the toss chose the Cornish style, which he had the reputation of being most expert in. After a set-to for about four minutes the AVest Coast man landed Powley fairly on his back with a cross-buttock off the right side, the audience loudly applauding the feat. The men, after having a spell of live minutes, again tried conclusions, and in about 12 minutes' time Powley, by a " leg-up" off the left side, succeeded in throwing his opponent. There was, however, some doubt in the minds of not' a few as to whether it was a proper faU, the judge deciding that it was. At 15 minutes past 9 the men commenced the third bout, and in about four minutes Fisher threw the local man by a buttock off the left side, but apparently did not throw him as to be entitled to claim a faU. In another four minutes he agaiL put Powley over in a somewhat similar way, the judge in this instance, as in the last, deciding that there was no fall. Fisher again, by means of a cross-buttock off the right sid'3, landed Powley fairly on his back amidst great applause. The men subsequently met, after a spell of 15 minutes, in the Cumberland style, which was known to be Powley's favourite. After a tussle of about four minutes' duration, the New Zealand champion, by means of a flying buttock, laid Fisher cleanly on his back, the audience showing their appreciation of the performance by very warm demonstrations of approval. The next bout took about 12 minutes, the fall being in favour of Powley, his opponent letting go his grip and going down on his knees. After the men had had a spell it was pointed out to the judge that according to the agreement there should be another fall in the Cumberland style before proceeding with the next style. The judge, who had not previously perused the agreement, explained to the audience that this was the case. Powley, however, who so far had the advantage of one fall in the match, generously forebore to exercise his right to wrestle another round in the Cumberland style, and agreed with his opponent that the match should be finally decided by the best two out of three falls in the catch-as-catch-can style. At eight minutes past 10 the wrestlers met to try conclusions in this style, and after a good tussle, extending over a quarter of an hour, Fisher managed to turn Powley over nearly, but the latter succeeded in forming a bridge. A similar performance was repeated about 10 minutes subsequently, and after a severe bout of nearly three-quarters of an hour's duration fisher, by a right cross-buttock, threw the local man, amidst loud applause. AA'hen the competitors faced each other again Powley, in about a miniite and a-half, back-heeled the AVest Coast man and threw him fairly on his back. At five minutes past 11 the men stood up for the last round, both showing signs of fatigue very plainly, and especially Fisher. At half-past 11 neither man had secured a fall, and the judge desired to declare the match a " draw," but >ns neither the audience nor the wrestlers were satisfied with this course, Mr Capstick, after some persuasion from the bystanders, consented to act as judge for 15 minutes longer. The time, however, expired without any fall resulting,. and after some minutes had been lost in discussing whether the match should be drawn or finished that night, it was decided to wrestle up till 12 o'clock. The men then had another tussle for three minutes, but as no fall eventuated in that time the match was declared drawn, the audience apparently being thoroughly satisfied that both the wrestlers had done their very best to win the match.