Weight Tells its Tale

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 76, 28 October 1930, Page 2

Weight Tells its Tale

SATURDAY'S WRESTLING. COLEMAN BEATS RAY TWO FALLS TO ONE. A WILLING BOUT. There was a gooj attendance at the Town Hall on Saturday when | Abe Coleman (14.0) met Tom Ray (12.10) in a wrestling bout, which was won in the sixth round by Coleman. The winner's weight helped him greatly. Bay, however, ga.ve a bright display of the art, and before the deciding fall he had a very substantial lead on points, Being tall and slim ho could not, make his best showing against his short and sol-idly-built opponent, who can take a great deal of punishment, and, using his great strength, can wriggle out oP seeming deadlocks. Ray worked a variety of useful holds and applied them quickly, while Coleman showed hardly any of the fine science. The match was remarkable as the first demonstration in Stratford of two quaint manoeuvre*-the rabbit-killer punch amd the "flying tiaekle". The punch consists of a downward blow on the back of the neck with joined hands. The "flying tackle", as used by Coleman, most resembles the chief feature df a fight between twci goats. Ray's rabbit-killer, would kill a rabbit all right and some of them made Coleman blink. Now and again, when Coleman looked like launching a "flying tackle" Ray would get I ready for a rabbit-killer and then ..Coleman would make his opening ' some other way. The bout was willing throughout. Only the strangehold was barred, but th<>; men agreod to give the referee (Mr. M. Urquhait) discretion to call a halt if their specialities, described above, wero used too often. They were pulled up once or twice. HOW THE ROUNDS WENT,

Bound I.—The opening; was quiet, both men 'bciing' caiutious. With both holding on the head, Coleman suddenly gave way, hoping to get a hold avs Ra,y fell, but he was disappointed, After further sparring, Ray got a good double body hold but Coleman gave a good exhibition of wriggling which got him free in workmanlike manner. Then Bay put on a punishing hand hold, from which Coleman again wriggled free. Coleman also broke from an arnv hold and survived a slam, cleanly applied. Ray was handling his man well in spite of his superior weight. The gong went with Coleman holding out against a head press. Bound ll.—Ray established figure four .scissors while Coleman was standing. The men went down on the mat for a good spell. Bay kept his hold but could not improve his position. Coleman rose and shock himself free by main force. Ray next established a toe-hold which looked like a winner. He pushed it and Coleman was distinctly distressed, but, gradually getting a little play he was able to work free, with the aid of strenuous wriggling. Coleman •was doing more of the work when tho gong wont.

Uouud lll.—Ray got a toe-hold, but his position was not so good as at the previous occasion, and a sharp head twist broke his hold. Following sparring Bay thumped on the back of the neck, and at oncefound himself on tho mat as the result of a butt. Almost at, once the performance was repeated, but Ray got two butts instead of one. One of tho butts rattled his ribs noticeably. Tibem Ley got a. shoirtrarm scissors, which held Coleman !«'• quite a time. Coleman loosened Bay's hold, and isoon got a headhold which he pushed to a fall. llouryl IV.—The round opened with more punching and butting, but early in the piece Hay caught one of Coleman\s toes, worked him, to the mat, secured the other toe, and Coleman submitted.

Round V.—Ooleman Opened with a, couple of finger holds which worried Ray. The men walked round for a. spell looking at each other, j Then, as a result of a butt, Bay fell off the stage to the floor of the hall, Coleman following him. Bay got, a toe hold and distressed Coleman, who, however, was strong enough to wriggle free- Bay tackled his man low but got no advantage, and Coleman was doing the business when the gong went. Bond VI.-Ray established a cradle hold, but Coleman was ton strong. Ray put on a figure four scissors, a pretty and effective hold. but Coleman broke free. Going in again Bay re-applied the figure lour scissors, but Coleman back-slammed him, and won the bout.