Bell’s Life, Tavistock Grand Wrestling: Devon defeats Cornwall (1827)

WRESTLING. The Annual Grand Wrestling Match took place at Tavistock on Wednesday the 8th instant, and lasted till Friday night. It was allowed to be the greatest match ever witnessed, either in Devon or Cornwall, the former county being allowed on both sides to have the superiority. A. Cann 1st prize. The Cornishmen generally made themselves scarce, and those who did play, were defeated; in fact, they had no chance with the Devonians, as the substituted shoes of a very inferior description for those so terrific to Cornishmen, “made of horn and baked in bullock’s blood.” Polkinhorn was present, but did not play, nor will he again play for ordinary prizes, although he is ready to wrestle Cann for one or five hundred pounds.

Polkinghorne and Cann are both expected in London at Whitsuntide, when in all probability a match will be made between them for 500l. a-side. COPP AND GAFFNEY.—The second deposit for this match, Copp wrestling 60l. to 50l., was made good at Mr. Dignum’s, the Black Boy, in Long-acre, on Thursday night.