WRESTLING IN WAIHI

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9305, 26 November 1938, Page 2

WRESTLING IN WAIHI

VISIT- OF-MR.--' LOFTY" BLOMFIELD CORDIAL RECEPTION BIG GATHERING IN DRILL HALL The visit of the world-famous professional wrestler, Mr "Lofty" Blora(ield, to Waihi this week marked a new era in local wrestling. Mr Blomlield, through the good services of Mr J. McLean, the well-known Auckland referee, in response to a request by Mr H. Cowan, the founder of the Waihi Amateur Wrestling Club, kindly agreed to come to Waihi to give an exhibition in the interests of amateur wrestling. He was accompanied by Mr McLean and two well-known Auckland amateurs, Messrs Trevor Harvey (provincial champion) and M. Sewell. The exhibition took place in the Waihi Drill Hall on Wednesday evening and was witnessed by a very large and interested audience, included in which were visitors from Thames and other places. The proceedings were opened by four amateur bouts, and then followed an ex hibition of holds by Mr Blomfield, Avho was assisted by Mr Sewell. The various holds included the hammerlock, short-arm scissors, crucifix, octopus clamp, rocking chair splits, Indian death-lock, flying - tackle, drop-kick and aeroplane spin. In the spin the weighty Blomfield was raised aloft by the 10-stone Sewell with apparent ease, followed by a few spins with an equal semblance of ease. Considerable applause followed the execution of each hold, the juvenile section of the audience shrieking their approbation with much enthusiasm, interspersed with cries foi the type of holds they desired to witness. The gracious "Lofty" responded to every request, and hold aftei hold was executed with the aid of Mi Sewell. One small boy, wlier "Lofty" was on the mat, cried ovii in a loud voice, "Show us the hole which Ncgraski got on to you," th> reference being in connection witl his contest in American for tin worlds' championship. This was fol lowed by much merriment, especialh when "Lofty," advancing to the side of the ring facetiously asked, "Where is he?" THRILLS FOR THE BOYS He next gave an exhibition oi wrestling with Mr McLean and also by request, a round with Mr Cowan The audience followed the exhibitioi: with keen interest. At the conclus- '■ ion he invited one of the boys tc ! come into the ring with him. However, not one, but four boys were soon in the ring, and a regular rough j and tumble ensued to the great de- ; light of the boys and the audience, ! culminating in a roar when one of | the lads made a series of flying I tackles from the ropes, each landing jon "Lofty" lying on the mat. Fear- ! ing, however, that one or more of the boys might get hurt in their excitement, Mr Blomfield brought the affair to a close. PRESENTATIONS MADE Presentations were next made by the Mayor, Mr W. M. Wallnutt, on I behalf of the Waihi club to Mr Bloirij field and Mr McLean, consisting of a silver-mounted inscribed shield to Mr Blomfield and a smaller inscribed shield to Mr McLean. In extending a welcome to the visitors the Mayor expressed the appreciation of the club at Mr Blomfield's generosity in coming to Waihi with a view to giving an impetus to wrestling in the district. It was not often that a man possessing the same status as Mr Blomfield in his particular line of sport came to the assistance of a i small town. Mr Wallnutt next referred to Mr Blomfields' contest with the world champion, against whom he obtained a hold with his famous octopus clamp, and trusted that at some future date the distinguished visitor would be successful in bringing the world's championship to New Zealand. (Applause.) With regard to Mr McLean, the Mayor pointed out that that gentleman was not a stranger to the town, lie was a Waihi boy and had accomplished a good deal for the local boys in arranging- matches with experienced exponents of the mat game.

I AMATEUR BOUTS Results of the amateur bouts arc I as follows: S. Davidson, 0.0, beat R. Keogh, 9.5. Tliis was a very good bout, both being well matched. Davidson, who is an experienced wrestler, won by a fall in the first round. B. Mackie, 12.0, won from G. Holmes, 12.t1. The latter received an injury (o his left arm in the first round and could not continue. M. Sewell, 10.0 (Auckland), defeated R. Sleeman, 10.10, by two falls. The Aucklander proved a very clever wrestler. The contest between Trevor Harj vey, il.l (Auckland provincial champion), and \V. Kavanagh, 9.S (Waihi), proved very interesting, the local boy putting up a line showing, and succeeded in holding his opponent to a I draw. The referees were the Rev. R. Day and Mr 11. Cowan, and the announcer Mr Len Pickett, the seconds being Messrs Roberts and Nobili. Later in the evening Messrs Blomfleld and McLean and the other visitors were entertained at Mr K, Cardiners' tea-rooms. The president of the Waihi Boxing Association, Mr .1. F. Robertson, presided.