Western Times, Wrestling the Devonshire style: Diver column on the lock (1904)

WRESTLING THE DEVONSHIRE STYLE. Foremost among old English sports stood the art of wrestling, and there are few Devonshire lovers of wrestling who have not seen or heard the story of the prowess of Abraham Cann, their 12st. 7lb. Devonshire champion, who challenged the world to wrestle the Devonshire style for 100 sovereigns. Cann, who was born in 1796 and stood 5ft. 8in., and scarce knew defeat, lies in the little village churchyard. But since the days of Cann, Devonshire wrestling has slowly but surely faded into obscurity. Barber, among players, polluted the ring; and the public gaze for years turned away from it in disgust.

Now, however, the Devonshire style of wrestling is again to rise in the public favour. Devonshire wrestlers enter the ring each wearing a jacket, and, at the call of play, they shake hands. Soon after, the struggle for mastery between them commences, each player endeavouring to obtain a favoured hold on each other’s jacket. This obtained, both the science of the art and the whole muscular power of the body come into play in their endeavour to throw the other over. But, to become the successful winner, the throw of an opponent must be fair and square on the back, without touch on the ground (in doing so) of any other part of the body, for, if the knee, hand, or any other part of the body touches the ground, the holds of both men instantly become released by order of the referee, neither player having gained any advantage in the bout.

Devonshire wrestling has many points, but foremost among them are the lock, back, and other trips, heave, and fore-hip. But perhaps, among scientific players, the lock is most favoured. The lock means the coil of the left leg around the leg of the opponent. The lock-holder then either tries to force his man backwards on his back, or to bring him forward, forcing his bend towards the ground. He then rakes with the lock the leg of his opponent in the air until he balances his man upon one leg; then, as quick as a dart, he unlocks and changes to the “fore hip.” This almost always ends in a throw.

By watching the actions of the men when the lock is on, the experienced eye can soon detect whether they are playing in earnest or not. Watch the muscles of the men and their actions while the lock is on, and then the public would soon learn also. DIVER.