Western Morning News, Brecknock Arms Easter wrestling reprint: Jeffery wins (1947)
CORNWALL AND DEVONSHIRE WRESTLING. BRECKNOCK ARMS, CAMDEN TOWN.
Considering the unsettled rawness of the present Eastertide, the sports at this suburban ground were well attended. The play was confined to men under 12st, and the arrangement was proved judicious by the quality of the struggles and the science evinced by the well-matched antagonists. A spacious marquee, erected by the landlord of the Brecknock Arms, proved a great accommodation.
The sports began by Verron, of Birmingham, who threw C. Reiford, of Devon, twice, in a style that elicited general admiration. Jeffery, a new arrival from Cornwall, then downed D. Bradford (D.) in superior style. Trimlett (D.) and Paul (Somerset) played two spirited bouts, gaining one fall each, Trimlett finally laying Paul in consummate style. Boyland (D.) and Higgins (I.) tried a long and scientific struggle, which ended in the Emeralder twice saluting the sod. Trimlett, sen. (D.) then disposed of C. Bray (C.), after a most exciting display of skill and activity. Kemp (D.) and W. Thomas, another Birmingham player, contested for one hour and ten minutes, when Kemp gave his determined opponent a clean back fall.
TUESDAY. The second day began by J. Thomas (C.) and C. Eason (S.), when the latter was thrown cleverly by the back heave, after forty minutes’ severe struggle. Ayres (D.) soon downed Flanagan (I.) with the inner lock, which he repeated by the back heel, in a couple of minutes. Bartlett (C.) and Gifford (D.), two fine players, consumed forty-five minutes in exhausting manœuvres, which closed by Bartlett flooring Gifford by a splendid heave. In the second bout, the youth of the Cornishman again told, and he sent his more aged opponent to Mother Earth by the inner lock.
WEDNESDAY. This day comprised the men who had tried their skill in the double and treble play, when some of the best bouts ever witnessed came off. Verron (B) and Trimlett, Jun. (D), were the first that entered the ring; after thirty-five minutes’ sharp play, Verron laid down his opponent with the heel hitch, and again quickly throwing him with the cross-heave.
The next pair was Jeffery and Bartlett, both well-known good men from Cornwall; some splendid play distinguished this bout, each gaining a fall, after which Jeffery pitched his man with his left-lock flat on his back. Jeffery and Thomas played for the first and second prize, which the former won, and Verron and Trimlett played for the third prize; Trimlett having played a very hard bout just before, was again thrown. Jeffery, of Cornwall, winning the first prize of £6; Thomas, of Birmingham, the second prize of £4; Verron, of Birmingham, the third prize of £2; and all the other men according to what they had earned. There was a good dinner provided for them each day. At Whitsuntide the Annual Subscription Match for £100 will be played for at the Brecknock Arms.
[Note: This 1947 Western Morning News article appears to be a retrospective reprint of the original 1848 Brecknock Arms Easter match report, published as historical material. The wrestling described is that of c.1848.]