The Sun.
London, England, 1844-09-27 00:00:00

GREAT WRESTLING MATCH.

The long talked-of wrestling match between the
men of Devon and Cornwall, for sixty sovereigns,
commenced on the 11th instant, at Tavistock, and
continued with unabated vigour and interest until the
17th, when it terminated. On the first day 12
standards (9 Devonshire and 3 Cornish men) were
made; and on Thursday 20 more (10 from each
county); on Friday three more were added to the
number. On Friday evening the double play com-
menced, and continued until Saturday evening, when
the celebrated Thomas Gundry, the Cornish cham-
pion, was called on to play with William Chapple,
from the North of Devon ; the former of whom, with
his friends, no doubt contemplated the carrying off the
first prize. The two men being about equal weight
(Chapple 9st 101 b, and Gundry 9st) entered the ring.
The interest excited at their appearance was intense,
and profound silence prevailed. The men closed, and
ere seven minutes had elapsed the die was cast—
Gundry was thrown. The plaudits of the assembled
multitude at the result of this struggle were un-
bounded, and after a few turns from some other
"good men," the amusements of the week terminated.
On Monday morning the play was resumed. Snell
(from London) a Devonshire man, and Hodge, the
younger, a Cornishman (who held out their time on
the previous Saturday), were invited to combat.
Having played an hour and ten minutes, and it being
doubtful when the struggle would terminate, both
being " good ones" it was suggested to them to toss
for the back. The recommendation was accepted and
Snell won. The Devonshire men were then matched
and played, and in the play some very striking mus-
cular power and science was displayed. Chapple
had then to encounter Bartley. The latter, it seems,
had a wish to meet Chapple, but he soon found he had
mistaken his man—for Chapple compelled him to give
up the contest. After several other matches of con-
siderable interest were finished, Snell was then
matched with Verco ; both played out their time. On
Tuesday morning they again played an hour, when a
toss was proposed, accepted, and won by Snell. Bickell
and Bray were matched, and a splendid set to it
was. Bickell was thrown. Many other players en-
tered the ring, and, in reference to many of them, it
was a difficult task to determine to whom the meed
of praise should be awarded. The last men who con-
tested with each other were Chapple and W. Hodge,
and this struggle was to determine the awarding of
the first prise. The conflict was of short duration.
Three minutes put an end to the affair, Hodge being
thrown most cleverly. The prizes were awarded as
follows :

W. Chapple (Devonshire), ht prize..... £l2
W. Snell (Devonshire), 2d prize .. 9
W. Hodge (Cornwall), 3d prize ....... 6
J. Hooper (Devonshire), 4th prize 4
R. Bray (Cornwall), sth prize. .. 2
The triers were Mr. Chapman, Redruth ; Mr.
Dawe, Meavy ; and Mr. Ryall, Milton Abbott.

The attendance at the booth which was erected in
a field near the canal storehouses, was very consider-
able every day during the amusements; it has been
computed that at several periods of the time from
2,000 to 3,000 persons had assembled, though an
admission fee was paid. A committee f five gen-
tlemen was appointed to conduct the affair.—Exeter
paper.