MILLER V. CHRISTOL AND SALT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1855, 10 June 1887, Page 25

MILLER V. CHRISTOL AND SALT.

The Graeco-Roman wrestling match for £100 aside, in which William Miller met Andre Christol and Sali, the Italian heavy-weight lifter, drew a large number of persons to the Alexandra Theatre on Saturday night. The floor of the house, from which a view on a level with the stage could be obtained, was most largely attended. A double row of chairs was placed at the sides and back of the stage, and these seats were well filled. Soon after 8 o'clock Miller came on to the 'stage from the left, accompanied by Mr G. Carter, his judge. Christol and Sali emerged from the other side, attended by Mr J. Donegan. The conditions of the match (says the Argus) were that Miller was to wreßtle the others in turn, and the first three falls out of five were to decide the match. Miller, who is 40 years of age, and weighs 14st 121b, was head and shoalders over either of his opponents, and combined strength with science. Christol is 43 years of age, list in weight, and is renowned for his skill. Sali, whose youth was at once apparent, is 28 years of age, and weighs 15st 51b, or 71b more than his taller adversary. He brought strength and a good defence to bear in the match. Mr H. Dunn, the well-known Cumberland wrestler, was chosen referee, and Mr J. Stewart, of boxing fame, was appointed timekeeper. Of the allied wrestlers, Christol decided to commence. After a little sparring for a hold, Miller brought Christol on to allfours, and at once tried for the hammerlock. Seeing an opening, Miller altered his tactics, and sought to secure the full Nelson, but Christol adroitly eluded the hold by turning a somersault, and the men were once more on their feet. Christol tried to cross-buttock his opponent, but failed, and was on his knees again in a short space. Miller" got the left hammerlock on Christol from the right side, and had almost scored a fall when Christol very cleverly wriggled out of the difficulty. In the next instant Miller got a full Nelson, and Christol, being evidently fatigued, was unable to offer a strong resistance, and the first fall to Miller resulted in 13min 40sec from the commencement. After an interval of 15miu Sali came out and faced Miller. The Italian was very cautious, and his cat-like watching created great merriment. This was his first appearance as a wrestler in Melbourne, and being untried Miller was more careful in dealing with him than he had been with Christol, against whom he appeared confident of success. He caused great laughter by holding |the short opponent by one shoulder and surveying him t s though he had at last met a man of whom it was impossible to get a hold. Sali was acting on the offensive, and tried, unsuccessfully,' to secure an under-hold. Miller tried a cross-buttock, but nothing came of it. Sali then attempted to trip Miller, which would have been a breach of the Gneco-Roman rules, but he gained nothing by the move, and came to the stage on all-fours. He then lay on his his chest with his hands clenched and stretched straight out in front of him. Miller allowed him to rise again, and there was more sparring for holds. The Italian ultimately came to the stage again, and this time doubled his arms up under his chest, which baffled all Miller's efforts to secure the Nelson, half-arm, or hammerlock holds. When they resumed a standing position Miller went to work vigorously, .and, getting behind Sali, got the backhold, but his foot slipped, and Sali very smartly took the opportunity, and with a cross-but-tock threw Miller amidst great cheering. This fall was obtained in 18§min. After another interval of 15min, Christol and Miller came on the stage again, Christol was very «autious, and kept his feet for a long time. He ultimately came down. As in his first bout, he got out of Miller's Nelson holds by turning head over heels. In the middle of this bout Miller was brought to his knees for the only time in the match. Christol tried to use the Nelson, but Miller was too quick, and reversed the positions by turning over on top of Christol. This struggle was brought to a close at the end of 14rain by Miller securing a fall by the halfNelson and forearm holds combined. In the next bout Sali strove to follow up the success he had bad with the cross-buttock, but Miller had been awakened^ to the danger in this quarter. ar >d was watching for it. He tried the crossbuttock himself, but failed. Sali came down a* 1 the front of the stage, and Miller tried hard for the hammerlock, and failing to get it,

allowed the Italian to rise, fin a little while Sali was again- on all-fours, and with remarkable quickness Miller got the left hammerlock and the right forearm holds. Gradually and surely Miller's decided advantage with these grips told, and Sali was declared against. This fall was accomplished in 9min ssec. The referee announced that the match had been won by Miller, and that wrestler was greatly cheered. There were numerous claimants to championship in various styles of wrestling on the stage, and at the conclusion of the match' Graham came forward and introduced Connor, the wrestler, who, he said, had , met wrestlers ■ in their own styles since he came here, and now wanted an opportunity to show what he could do in his style. He would wrestle Miller, Sali, and Christol in one match, catch-as-catch-can, for £100. Mr Donegan then' brought Sali >to the front of the stage, and said he would be prepared to wrestle any man in the world in the Greco-Roman style in three months.