Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Devon wrestling in London: Cann, Cornish wrestling at Chelsea (1827)

DEVON WRESTLING IN LONDON. [Reported expressly for this paper.]

The matches at the Eagle Tavern, City Road, concluded on Friday, when the first was awarded to Abraham Cann; 2d to Chappie; the fourth to Devon men. At the close of the play, two gentlemen from Westmoreland, Dobson and Anderson, entered the ring, and challenged Cann and Stone. Mr. Dobson stated his intention to wrestle in the Westmoreland style. Abraham looked steadily on his opponent, who was taller than himself. Mr. D. said “catch in Westmoreland manner,” to which Cann replied, “I will catch as I can.” To this Mr. Dobson objected, alleging that it was on the terms of Cann’s playing the same way as himself, and refused to meet Cann unless he accepted it. His man being left to play according to his choice, Cann remained in the ring some minutes, when the bet was declared fairly forfeited. Exactly the same course was gone through between Stone and Anderson, and thus this “manly affair” terminated.

CORNISH WRESTLING AT CHELSEA. The play at the Wellington Cricket ground, Chelsea, ended on Thursday night. The last turn of the double play was between Stone and Lenuyon, the first a Devonian, 5ft. 4in. weighing 12 stone, and the latter a Cornishman, upwards of six feet, and full stone; Lenuyon supposed to be almost the best Cornish wrestler and thought to have laid this infant in stature easily on his back. After a sturdy contest of an hour and five minutes, Lenuyon was hurled with tremendous force on the ground, face uppermost, to the great surprise of his Cornish brethren. Stone was matched with the only Devon man remaining, and the Cornish were placed Cornwall against Cornwall. By the advice of some gentlemen of Cornwall, who were far from being so dastardly as their companions had proved to be, Stone declined playing, and left the ground. The first prize was given to Clements; 2d, 10s., to Clements; 3d, of 8l. to Pardew.