Taunton Courier, Exeter wrestling five-day match: Puckey wins (1869)

EXETER. A wrestling match at Exeter was brought to a close on Saturday, having lasted five days, and been conducted with great satisfaction to all parties. The conduct of the visitors was marked with more than an ordinary amount of decorum. As the match proceeded, the interest heightened considerably, as shown by the increasing number of persons who attended, and on the two last days those present were numbered by thousands.

The tone of feeling prevalent was opposed to the practice, formerly so universal among Devonshire wrestlers, of kicking their antagonists; for although in some of the contests a considerable amount of kicking took place, and an appreciative shout occasionally showed that kind of thing was not without its admirers, yet, for the most part, the spectators appeared to discountenance it.

The following is the list of prize takers: Puckey, Plymouth, first prize, £12; Grout, St. Austell, second prize, £7 7s; Milton, Symonsbath, third prize, £3 10s; Roberts, Torquay, fourth prize, £2 2s; Stentiford, fifth prize, 30s.