Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, London wrestling at Mile End Road: Stone, Cann and Gaffney (1827)
WRESTLING IN LONDON. [Reported expressly for this paper.]
A match for a prize of was played for at the Mile End Road, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, when excellent sport was afforded to those who are fond of athletic amusements. The first day play commenced at three o’clock. Stone raised his left wing in good earnest, and pitched his clenchers on his adversary’s arm, placing his right hand near the brawny neck of his opponent; he pulled his man towards him, locking his opponent’s powerful leg within his thighs, and turning him over in fine style in less than three minutes. Lander, a Cornishman of some celebrity, was thrown by him in about two minutes.
A Cornishman, named Sanders, a private in the Guards, had a turn-up with Thorn, an ugly customer; the soldier on showing buff exhibited a fine chest, and was undoubtedly the finest man that peeled during the day. Thorne began play by severe kicking, which the Cornubians seldom return, but this “man of war” repaid at compound interest, frequently tapping thrice before his foot again touched ground, and lifted Thorne some inches from the ground, and hurled him with immense force to the sod; but he proved himself a “slippery one” by his quick turning. The play throughout the day was extremely good; ten men were double players, among them Stone, Copp, Thorn, and Davy from Devon; and Francis, Hoskin, and Saunders from Cornwall.
Tuesday.—Cann entered against a Cornishman named Saunders, whom he turned over in seconds. Jordan, the champion of Hants, cast in his hat against Abraham, and was soon “togged” for the affray. Cann caught him by the collar and neck, and after a severe struggle laid his man flat as a flounder.
Wednesday.—Stone and Pardue first entered. Pardue, a Cornubian of note who gained one of the prizes at Chelsea, caught Stone just under the short ribs near the puffers; Stone getting the outer lock, Pardue was thrown heavily—the round lasted about seven minutes.
The wrestling this day was the best ever seen in London. The Metropolitan Wrestling Matches have engrossed much of the public attention. Ashburton, on Monday and following days, sport was shown. Jordan won the first prize; Bolt the second and Huxtable the third. The match at Tiverton, on Thursday and Friday next, and at Topsham on Monday and Tuesday, the 9th and 16th July, are expected to bring into contact some excellent players.