EXCITTING BATTLES RAGED IN BARRACKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18010, 22 November 1926, Page 13

EXCITTING BATTLES RAGED IN BARRACKS.

FINALISTS IN BOXING TOURNEY MADE IT HOT AND WILLING ALL THE WAY Success even greater than that of the opening night attended the conclusion. of the Garrison Sports Association’s boxing tournament, held in the King Edward Barracks on Saturdaynight. The support was disappointing, but the 500 odd that attended witnessed tlje finest all-round display of amateur boxing that has been seen in' Christchurch for over a year. The standard, Especially in the lighter classes, compared highly with any seen in Christ<?hurch, and the committee of the Garrison Sports Association deserve credit for their commendable efforts in reviving a tournament that has not been held for several years. They shouldered a heavy burden, and the pronounced success with which they carried it through is the just reward of their labours. The Chaffey Cup for the unit winning the most points was won by the 4th Cadet Battalion, which was represented by C. Gordon, R. Bailey, C. Windsor, Y. Barton, D. Riley and J. Priest. The officials were:—Judges, Lieutenant J. D. Baybutt and Dr W. H; Simpson: referee, Mr G. F. Kingscote; timekeepers, Majors R. Row and F. P. O. Smith; announcer, Major A. 11. Carrington. First on the List. C. Gordon (7st Sib) and R. Stafford (7st 71b) were first on the list. Thev made a very scientific bout out of the semi-final of the fly-weight. The first round saw Gordon, after a little step dance, plant his left home on the jaw. That started the fight—the war ’ was well and truly on. Gordon hit Stafford hard: Stafford hit Gordon harder, then some neat blocking and sparring. Stafford used both hands to advantage, and hit straight each time. Gordon came up eager for the second round and a little wild. His blows were not what they were in the first round. Stafford kept sending-home rights and lefts straight to the jaw, and seemed to be the winner, but luck was on Gordon’s side, and he got the decision. A Neat Job. To spar for th’irty seconds, stop a neat right on the jaw, sway a few seconds in the air, then drop like a log, was the fate of C. Gordon (7st Sib), who was knocked out by R. Bailey (7st 101 b) in the final of the fly-weight. It all happened so suddenly that a gasp of surprise escaped the lips of the spectators and left them wonderinig how one so small could execute such a neat job. Both contestants were from the 4th Cadet Battalion. In the semi-final. of the featherweight, V. Barton (9st) boxed rings round L. Harper (9st 21b). Harper moved too slowly, and could not be persuaded to take his head out of the road of Barton’s straight lefts nor his right swings. Superb Style. The Fourth Cadet Battalion was represented in the final of the bantamweight by I). Riley (Bst 41b) and J. Priset (Bst 21b). Riley won in superb style. In the first round he boxed his man off, attacking very little. In the second round he opened with a hot

two-fisted attack, taking toll of Priest’s jaw. His right and left shot home with the speed of lightning, forcing Priest to smother for refuge. The third round was fast, Priest making a serious effort to make up for lest time, but Riley's two fists were too much for him. Riley tired over the closing stages, but only a knock-out could have beaten him then. Erin Was Represented Too. 11. J. O’Neill—-V. swcency—Donnybrook de luxe! Ahrr, me bhoys, ’tis foight ye paid to see and shurc ould Oireland will not disappoint ye. This list 111 b is O’Neil, a foinc lad he is. And Sweeney there, who tips the Scales at list 91b, is a foine lad too. They will try conclusions in the semi-final of the light-heavy-weight class. At it, ye spalpeens! At it they did, with no beg pardons. Fierce was O’Neil’s onslaught, fury was in Sweeney's attack, and . . . well, if an irresistible force runs slap into an immovable object what happens? O’Neil and Sweeney clashed together and sprawled one on top of the other in a corner of the ring. In a split second they were on their feet again and a walloping match ensued. The second round was steadier, that is to say, the walloping had toned down to. slogging. Sweeney managed to place his blows better than his opponent, and gain the decision. Disqualified. Blacklock (Sst 101 b) fouled C. Winder (Sst 101 b) in the semi-final of the feather-weight and was disqualified. He was warned twice for hitting low and on his third offence, which took place in the second round, the referee sent him to his corner. Sweeney Was Not Sweeney. E. 11. Smith (list 41b), representing the Tenth Battery, beat Sweeney, of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, in one round in the final of the light-heavy-weight. was not the Sweeney who met O’Neil, his fighting spirit seemed to be flagging when he entered the ring, and after Smith had hit him squarely on the jaw with a heavy right it was a toss-up whether he would come to light or not. Smith hit him on the jaw again and for his pains was rewarded with a heavy left on the ear. Sweeney made one sally more, swinging wildly, then he slowed up, and when the gong went Sweeney did not come up for the second round, having injured his hand somehow. Boxer v. Wrestler. A slight impression of a boxing versus wrestling match was neatly executed by A. Brown (9st 61b), of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, and 11. Chester (9st 81b), on behalf Of the'Sixteenth Battery, in the light-weight final. Chester wanted the fight open and did all in his power to make it so, but Brown, cantankerous person, wanted it tigteS, and at every opportunity closed with Chester. There ■were- ***“"’"* vine clashes in the first round, In which Chester used a straight left to good advantage. The pace was slower in the second round, and in the third round things became wild and willing. Those claret-spilling incidents termed “mills” were frequent, and excitement ran high as both men fought out the finish. The judges disagreed over the decision and the referee awarded the bout to Brown. His decision raised a storm of dissent. E. Diggs (lOst 61b), of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, outpointed A. N. Rutledge (lOst) in the final of the welter-weight. Diggs used both hands well and won a willing tussle. j Took the Count. J Plenty of pace marked the opening

of the final of the feather-weight, which Winder (Fourth Cadet Battalion) won by knocking out V. Barton (Fourth Cadet Battalion). Barton rushed in with his head down, swinging both gloves. He met with a measure of success, but he rushed in once too often. Winder uppercut to the jaw with his right at the proper moment and Barton, swaying groggily on his knees, took the count.

Toe to Toe, Blow for Blow. The fastest and most exciting amateur heavy-weight final that has been witnessed in a Christchurch ring took place when 11. P. M'Duff (13st 41b>, of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalrv, tried to feed 11. R. Todd (13st 41b), of the New Zealand Medical Corps, to the fowls. M’Duff set to work in the first round to tear Todd to pieces. Naturally Todd preferred to remain intact, and made a move to assert his decision at all costs. With a disregard that was sheer folly for the sledge-hammer blows that his opponent swung at his jaw, he opened his shoulders and fought like a lion caged. Both men suffered severe punishment, neither using any defensive measures, but the way they stood toe to toe slogging blow for blow to the jaw was the very essence of excitement. The marvel is that both were on their feet when the gong called the fray to a finish. Todd led straighter than M’Duff, securing a slight advantage and gaining a popular decision. After seeing the Christchurch branch of the coming New Zealand Army engaged upon the peaceful pastime of learning the art of self defence one can only say “pity help the enemy.”