Exeter Flying Post, Exeter Grand Wrestling: Vickery throws Thorn; Copp and Gaffney (1827)
Tuesday.—The spectators were more numerous than on the preceding day, and the single play was renewed with great vigour. On Gaffney making his appearance in the ring, a few persons raised a violent clamour against him, contending that he ought not to be allowed to play after quitting the ring before the time was out on the preceding day. The referee and umpires, however, thought it would betray a symptom of prejudice (as he was from the sister kingdom), if they did not relax a little of the severity of their rules in his favour.
Gaffney was then opposed by Thomas, a Devonshire man, who, in attempting to close, was caught by Gaffney with the hug, à la Cornish, and thrown with great violence on the ground; it proved, however, not to be a fair back fall.
Copp, aware of the prowess of his opponent, played with great caution, and better than when he wrestled the match with him at the Golden Eagle, in the Mile-end-road; the consequence was, that they were both timed out without even a foil having taken place between them.
A respectable, portly gentleman, with a rotundity of belly that would have graced an Alderman, threw his hat within the ring, and hinted only to the wrestlers and judges. Thorn, an excellent Devonshire wrestler, first desired him to get outside of it, which he peremptorily refused. Some angry words then took place, and cries of “turn him out,” resounded round the ring, but he resolutely kept his post, and addressing himself particularly to Thorn, defied him to turn him out or give him a fair back fall, and offered to bet him a sovereign on the event. On two fresh hats being called for, Mr. Vickery threw his down.
Mr. Vickery first entered the ring, and being a well-made man, of between 17 and 18 stone weight when dressed in the wrestling costume, with the clumsy padding on, conveyed to the spectators the appearance of the renowned Gog-Magog mounting for battle, and caused shouts of laughter all around the ring. Two to one were freely offered against him, but few takers could be had.
On Thorn’s entering the ring, Mr. V. appeared with the greatest good humour to shake hands with him, and desired him to take hold of him where he liked. He had scarcely commenced before he gave proofs that, although unknown in London, he was no novice in the art of wrestling; for in about two minutes he threw Thorn the first fall; in the next Thorn was near carrying him, but with the agility of an eel he turned himself before reaching the ground, and actually brought Thorn first to grass, exclaiming, “What do you think of us little ones!” Not a fair fall, however. Before one took place, the eight minutes had expired. Having given so much satisfaction, however, they were allowed to proceed, for the purpose of deciding their wager. In less than three minutes afterwards he threw Thorn a most decisive fall, thereby winning the two sovereigns, which he displayed in triumph round the ring, and offered to wrestle with any man on the ground, one fall for the like sum; but no person accepted his offer, and he left the ring loudly applauded.
Wednesday.—The double play commenced:
Devon Players: Pyle, Middleton, S. Steer, R. Chapple, Jewry, Rowe, Pitment, W. Steer, Jennings, Copp.
Irish and Other Players: Thomas, Gaffney, Heath, Thorn, Chapple jun., Avery, Clark, Finnon, Larkins, Davis.
The double-play then commenced, and was of a superior description. Pyle and W. Steer, 6 min.—S. Steer and Thomas, 8 min.—Clark and Larkins, 14 min.—Gaffney and Heath, 25 min.—Thorn and Fitment, 15 min.—Jennings and Chapple, 14 min.—Chapple, sen. and Davis, 18 min.—Rowe and Jewry, 11 min.—Copp and Middleton. The wrestling this day was the best ever seen in London, and Stone and Cann have had the queerest kids matched against them which the Metropolis can produce; but it was all the world in favour of Devon.