“DAVID & GOLIATH.”

Wairarapa Age, 9 October 1936, Page 5

“DAVID & GOLIATH.”

OPPONENTS IN AMUSING wrestling bout. INDIAN SUBMITS IN FIFTH BOUND. Biblical history failed to repeat itself in the Municipal Hall last night when a David and a Goliath tried conclusions in a professional wrestling match. The modern David, represented by Karem Singh, of India, failed by a long shot to overcome his veritable Goliath of an opponent, Wee Willie Davis, and after snapping at him like a terrier attacking a mastiff . finally gave up the ghost in the - fifth round. Honours were easy as far ns falls went when Singh cried “enough.”' '« ? While it lasted it was an amusing rather than an interesting match. The most impressive things about the Indian were his brilliant yellow turban and the comical manner in which he invoked the aid of the wrestling gods when he first entered the ring. Although he was at no time loath to mix matters with his out-size in opponents, Singh was definitely no match for Davis, chiefly, perhaps, on account of the disparity in the weights and sizes of the men. Apart from his size and his “he-man” attitude, the American was not particularly impressive. Davis, who at 18st., held a four stone, advantage in weight, early earned the disapproval of the well-filled house by his rough and ready tactics and he was later repeatedly counted out when he sought refuge outside the ropes when Singh was causing him some trouble with imperfectly applied Indian; deathlocks. Early in the first round Davis 'rocked the Indian badly with elbow jolts and Singh retaliated with a full Nelson, but could not hold the massive American. Superior weight ami strength also enabled Davis to heave his way out of a Boston crab. At the gong Davis was held in an. Indian death-lock. Davis again escaped from a Boston in the second round and after man-hand-ling the little man he picked him up and dumped him heavily to take a fall with a top body press at four minutes. Singh showed cleverness in escaping from the rocking-chair splits in the third round and countering with the Indian death-lock. Davis stood the pressure for nearly three minutes until he found relief outside the ropes, Urged on by the cries of the crowd, Singh went out after Davis, but. the big man was content to rest outside the ring. The fourth round saw Davis punch and jolt Singh all round the ring. When he persisted in punishing his opponent outside the ropes, however, the referee, Mr. J. Fearon, called a halt and awarded a penalty fall to the Indian, much to the disgust of Davis and the approval of the crowd. Weight told its -tale in the next round and after being roughly treated Singh called it a day and the match was awarded to Davis.

Owing to an injury received in a bout on the previous night, Kruse was unable to keep his- engagement with Singh and Davis was substituted at the last minute. After the match last night, a statement was made by officials of the Wairarapa Wrestling Association regretting the unevenness of the men and stating that had it been known in time that Davis was to have been substituted the match would have been cancelled. The officials regretted that the bout did not come up to expectations -and wished to assure patrons that it was no fault of the association.

The amateur preliminaries, which were controlled by Mr. J. Fearon, resuited as follow: Tozer (Masterton) 9.10 beat Dwane (Carterton) 9.8 by one fall; Head (Carterton) 9.8 drew with Nielsen (Eketahuna) 9.9, no falls; Edwards (Masterton) 10.7 beat Wilkinson (Masterton) 10.2 by one fall; H. Chappell (Masterton) 11.2 beat T. Nielsen (Eketahuna) 11.2, on points. The amateur contests were the best staged this season.