WRESTLING.—AN EXCITING STRUGGLE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 361, 24 June 1897, Page 8

WRESTLING.—AN EXCITING STRUGGLE.

A wrestling match between Harry Pearce, of Coolgardie, and Lucifer, the American athlete, at Perth, came off in the beginning of the present month. The stakes were £lOO, and the conditions were that the men were to wrestle in three styles- —Greco-Boman, Catch-as-Catch-Can, and to toss for the choice of the third style. Lucifer was attended by Professor Segny. The men had met previously at Coolgardie, bnt neither gaining a fall the contest was declared a draw. During the first bout, which lasted 15min, neither contestant gained any advantage over his opponent. On resuming both went down in turn. Pearce broke away cleverly, and then put Lucifer down, but left him there. He could do nothing with the American on the floor. When they got together again Pearce picked Lucifer up and threw him down again, and in a few seconds he got him down a second time, but a desperate struggle ended in the referee disallowing a claim for a fall. Pearce shortly afterwards brought Lucifer down again, and, with the aid of a halfNelson, Pearce gained a fall, amid great excitement.

Catch-as-catch-can followed. Pearce got to work quickly, catching his opponent round the neck, but Lucifer turned the position in his own favour, and in 6fmin got the hammerlock on Pearce’s leg, and by a wonderful feat of strength forced Pearce over on to his back and equalised matters —one fall each. Both men were now greatly distressed. The third bout was, by mutual consent, in the Graeco-Roman style. Pearce, using his knowledge against the strength and agility of his more agile opponent, eventually got the strangling hold, but Lucifer tore himself out, amid loud applause. Pearce rushed Lucifer, and got the strangling hold again. A desperate and exciting struggle followed, but Pearce held on, and Lucifer was gradually going over. Pearce claimed the fall, and told the referee that it would be bad for Lucifer if he did not give it. When the referee (Mr Reany) gave the fall it was realised that Pearce’s advice was good. Lucifer was almost choked, and he had to be carried to his chair. He was in such a condition that his seconds abandoned further wrestling, and the referee declared Pearce the winner. The decision was received with loud cheering. The time occupied in wrestling was about an hour and a half.