Wrestling & Vaudeville

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 746, 20 August 1929, Page 13

Wrestling & Vaudeville

VANCE DEFEATS GARDINI Sudden End to Even Bout AFTER giving the best vaudeville show seen in Auckland. since the well-remembered Kilonis-McCarthy bouts last year, interspersed with strenuous bouts of wrestling, “Farmer” Vance defeated iSlaracei Gardini by two falls at the Auckland Town Hall last evening. The first fall was gained soon after the start of the fifth round and as Gardini was still practically helpless at the beginning of the sixth he was an easy victim.

The bout was the most colourful seen in Auckland since the memorable showings staged last year. With widely-flung arms and terrible grimaces, Vance kept the crowd in a state of laughter and excitement while Gardini gave similar entertainment on a lesser scale. It was very even pegging until the fifth and sixth rounds, and then Vance put the issue beyond doubt. Only a fair house attended, but the spectators were kept at a high pitch all through, and could it have been predicted what would take place, the hall would have been packed. When the dressing gowns were taken off, Gardini was seen to be resplendent in brilliant scarlet tights and trunks, while Vance had effected a much duller shade in reds with blue tights. The weights were announced as Vance 12st 71b, and Gardini 12st 21b, j and both meh appeared to be in splendid condition. BOUT COMMENCES WELL _ After a bout of preliminary sparring Vance sent Gardini to the mat with a push to the jaw, and was then sent to the ropes in breaking a reverse Japanese wristlock. It was then Gardini’s turn to go through the ropes, but on gaining his feet he sent Vance to the ropes, and the Farmer hung over them like a wet towel. Going to the mat Vance applied the splits, Gardini tugging at his opponent’s hair to gain release. After failing with a headlock Gardini had to bridge to save a fall from a wristlock. and in breaking he trampled on Vance’s face. Gardini straddled the Farmer on the ropes, both falling through and indulging in a splendid bout of pseudofighting. Just before the gong Gardini was in difficulties with a reverse headlock. but he broke and gained a toehold, at the same time digging his elbow into Vance’s spine. The second round opened with a spell of standing grips, and on going to the mat Gardini again straddled. Vance, and endeavoured to force the latter’s nose through the back of his head. To make the situation more interesting he sent Vance through the ropes, where the pair engaged in a tussle. Vance secured a reverse Japanese wristlock, but Gardini showed great strength in keeping to his feet. Securing a body scissors Vance improved the shining hour by tickling Gardini’s stomach, the latter retaliating with a toehold. Getting to his feet Vance sprinted across the ring, and on coming to grips again Gardini secured a scissors on one leg, while he tried to pull the other one off with his hands. Vance endured the pain for a while and then worried himself free with a headlock. Evidently fond of “pick-a-baeks” Gardini again straddled Vance’s back and tried to pull his head off. This did not meet with the Farmer’s approval, and on gaining his feet he gesticulated excitedly. They were on the mat again when the gong went, and Vance got to his feet and to show there was no ill-feeling calmly stood on Gardini’s head. •

Vance immediately secured the splits at the beginning of round three, and Gardini dragged his way painfully to and through the ropes. As soon as he climbed int® the ring again Vance secured a headlock. but Gardini broke. Evidently thinking it was time for some road work, Vance sprinted across the ring, but Gardini caught him on the ropes and applied an arm scissors. Vance endeavoured to himself by tugging at his opponent’s ears, but to no avail. However, he managed to free himself, but ran into a short arm scissors, breaking by twisting over and getting a head scissors. Vance stood up and did an “arms bend” exercise, and then applied a wristlock which Gardini broke with a head scissors, at the same time slapping Vance’s face. Vance countered with a toe-hold. Gardini kicking him oft. VANCE SECURES FALLS After an exchange on the mat Gardini took a firm grip of Vance’s nose, and with the other hand tried to close his mouth. These suffocating tactics were not part of Vance’s programme, and ho retaliated by pulling his opponent's hair. The Farmer secured the standing splits, Gardini breaking after a long and painful struggle. Ho applied a short-arm scissors, and Vance showed his annoyance by thumping the mat and spitting viciously before breaking. Gardini ran into a series of headlocks which had him in difficulties at the gong. Vance went to work at once at the beginning of the fifth round, and secured a headlock which Gardini released only to fall Unto another. Vance applied the wing hold, and Gardini’s shoulders hit the mat with a resounding thump. He was out of the world of consciousness, and the fall went to Vance. Gardini was unconscious for most of the spell, and was in no shape to continue when the gong sounded. Vance, using the airplane spin, sent him to the mat. and the Farmer had no difficulty in pinning his shoulders and winning the match. Vance advanced to the front of the ring and tried to make himself heard above the bubble of hoots and hisses. This did not worry him. and he persevered. However, lie had to give up at length. What he desired to say was that he wanted a return bout with Tom Alley, who defeated him on the

last occasion Vance wrestled at the Town Hall. THE AMATEURS R. Pilkington, 9st 61b, v.“F. Jackson, 9st 41b.’—Amid much hooting, calling and counting-out, evidently intended for the referee, Jackson secured the first fall in the second round with an armhold. Pilkington evened the score in the last round with a headlock, and the decision was given as a draw. C. Grimmer, 6st 21b, v. Carey, 6st 111 b looked a podgy little giant and much more than the given weight, as he went to mid-ring, but Grimmer forced the pace. Grimmer won the first fall in the second round with a headhold. No fall came in the last round, and Grimmer won on the single fall. C. Bacon, list 31b, v. V. Faulkner, list. —Going to work quickly, Bacon won the first fall with a body press. Faulkner introduced a professional stunt in the second by rubbing Bacon’s spine with his chin, but Bacon kept at it ahd took another fall and the match with a body hold. L. Vickerman, list 31b, v. F. Johannsson, list 41b.—Joliannsson secured the first fall in the initial round with a forward chancery barlock, and a few seconds after the beginning of the second, Vickerman evened the score with a headlock. Two minutes after the commencement of the fourth, Joliannsson secured a fall and the match with a headlock. L. Paterson, 9st 61b, v. A. Freeman, 3 ost 111b.—The first fall was won by Paterson with a neck scissors and arm-hold, and he took another fall and the match in the second round with a headlock. Mr. Val Dunne refereed all the bouts.