THE MAT GAME

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 58, 10 March 1937, Page 4

THE MAT GAME

PREPARING FOR NEW SEASON AUSTRALIAN AMATEURS’ TOUR (By "Headlock.") Arrangements in connection with the tour of New Zealand next month by a team of eight Australian amateur wrestlers have been completed. The team is due to sail from Sydney on March 27 and arrive in Auckland on March 30. Before the actual opening of the tour on April 5, when they meet an Auckland team at Auckland, the visitors will have nearly a week to prepare for the fray, and if all are fit when they leave Australia this should be ample time. The next appearance will be against an all-South Island team at Christchurch on April 12. This will be followed by a tournament at Palmerston North against Manawatu and Wanganui representatives on April 15 and 16 and at Wellington an April 19 the tour will conclude with a Test match against the New Zealand champions. The first batch of professional matmen will be coming by the Aorangi, which leaves Vancouver on March 17 and is due at Auckland on April 5.’ The season will open about ~ week later. The union has provided transportation for a party of ten, but it is I not known at present whether some of the number are wrestlers’ wive c * * * » Wanganui Amateurs Active. The Wanganui Amateur School of Wrestling (“Red” Jones) opened up over the week-end for the approach-! ing season. There was a large mus- ! ter, both of old and new members. ! “Red" Jones has accepted an appointment out of town but the school will be carried on at the old address by Roy Wadsworth, who was associated with "Red” last season. Jones still intends to keep in the game and will keep in training. Amongst the boys working out over the week-end were the following:—

Pat Roberts, who had to drop out of the game half way through last season, will be back, and judging by appearances will be very tough to beat. Three matches three wins was Pat’s record last year. Teddy Garland, runner-up last year in the welter championship, is again on deck, and may go one better this year. Jim and “Snow” Vernon, who are both very keen on the game, and are bound to improve. Both showed promise in their first workout. Chester Vernon, one of our best light-heavies last season, will be a spectator this year under doctor’s orders. He met with an injury at work which necessitates a long spell. A. Barnes, who had his first try out over the week-end, showed a great deal of promise. This lad who is around the 8.6 mark should go a long way in the game. Charlie Marshall, who had a great record last season (only one loss tor the year) will be back again. A good wrestler this chap, and looks like being still better this year. Charlie will also lend a hand with the instruction this season. Pat King, who was unfortunate last year with accidents and sickness and was never in condition to do himself justice. Here’s hoping for better luck for him this year. He will also lend a hand with instruction. “Red” Jones, who started last season very well, but seemed to get very stale towards the end. worked out over the week-end and showed all his old dash. “Red” who is working out of town will be available to the association for matches and no doubt they will avail themselves of his services as "Red” is popular with the fans.

Jimmy Phillins, who wrestled last season with only a fair measure of success, will no doubt improve this year as he is faster and heavier. With last year's experience behind him he should chalk up a much better record this year. • • • • J. Galbraith (a new heavy 13st.) looks like a find. He had a workout with a couple of the big boys and showed himself to be made of the right stuff. Let them all come says this big fellow, and later on with a bit of experience he will be a crowd pleaser. M. Boyd—the "Charlie Chaplin" of the local wrestlers—will be back again.. Boyd, when he wrestles, is good, but as a “wrestling clown” not so good. Cut out the comedy Max and get on with youn wrestling and see your arm lifted by the “ref” more often. Ernie Rholoff will be again on deck. A real good “boy” this chap. Tough and strong with a good knowledge of the game was only beaten once last season (by a good boy in Whiteside). Bren Shepperd, probably one of the best local crowd-pleasers, is enjoying the surf at Kai Iwl, but will be back tn training shortly. The school is open on Mondays. Tuesdays, and Thursdays, at 7.30 p.m. Also week-ends. A cordial invitation is extended to the public to come along any time to , see the boys at work.