EXCITEMENT AT A WRESTLING MATCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19201, 15 October 1930, Page 14

EXCITEMENT AT A WRESTLING MATCH.

EXTRAORDINARY SCENES AT BOUT IN WELLINGTON

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, October 14. Rabbit killer blows, punching, slapping and butting with the head marked a wrestling bout in Wellington tonight. Finally one of the contestants was disqualified and his prone opponent declared the winner. Five sensational minutes, packed with extraordinary scenes, brought an end to the battle at the Town Hall between Toni Alley (13.2) and Billy Edwards (13.3). Edwards was disqualified in the fourth round and Alley’s hand was raised in victory, although he was lying prone on the mat. unable to continue. Up to that point the combatants had a fall each. What followed Edwards’s disqualification was just as sensational as what had preceded it. The bout was refereed by Alex Lundyn, of Finland, a professional wrestler, who must be complimented on his fearless and continuous work. The trouble really began in the fourth round. Edwards was aiming a few short rabbit killer blows at the back of Alley’s neck. Uppercutting and some butting with elbows followed until the pair were becoming wilder and wilder every moment. A few halfhearted blows were a prelude to Edwards being brought to the mat with a headlock. There was nearly a free fight after Edwards landed an open-handed slap at Alley’s head. Edwards used an occasional knee and finally trapped Alley on the mat with a head scissors and a further arm hold. On their feet again Alley began some butts at Edwards’s body. Edwards was moving along the ropes, coping with Alley.

“Don't do that,” he muttered at one stage.'“l’ll knock your head off.” Alley continued his butting, however, and Edwards was still being worked along the ropes. Then finally he came up with his knee into Alley's stomach. Alley staggered forward to the ropes with his hands to the front of his body. Edwards raced in to Alley,, put his

knee against his*back and pulled back the rope hard against Alley’s throat. Alley began to gasp and Lundyn, the referee, rushed in to drag Edwards off. He tugged at Edwards, but still he remained. Finally he put an arm round Edwards’s neck, gave a heave and the pair toppled over backward to the centre of the mat. Alley slumped down by the ropes and lay still. Up got Lundyn and walked over to Alley, raising his arin for the decision. Then he went back to Edwards, who expostulated against the decision. An argument began and finally Lundyn took Edwards by the throat, pushing him away. Edwards went to give Lundyn an uppercut, and Lundyn fell back to the mat. The audience was on its feet hooting and booing Edwards, who stood in his corner long after Alley had been helped from the ring, and was the centre of a hostile demonstration.