Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-15
WRESTLING
GOOD MAT WORK
Jack Roach Wins After a Hard Struggle-Contests for Brook
 Iyn Athletic Club.

T promised the people of this city that would give them a good wrestling program and I kept my word said Manager Joe Lawlor of the Simons- vile Athletic club, at the conclusion of the contests last night. He did, indeed. keep his word, for se&lom have the sport loving people of this city wit messed better wrestling matches than those of last evening. It was the open ing of the new gymnasium Of the si- monsville Athletic club and those who journeyed down there last evening were more than surprised at the com- plete transformation which had taken place. One of the best equipped ath- letic halls in the state had been built up in a few months, and so cosey, warm and attractive was the place that everybody complimented Manager Lawlor on his new home.
 The wrestling is what attracted the most attention, however, and you can just bet 1t was wrestling with the em- phasis strong on the word. A surprise had been promised Jack Roach in his opponent, Charles E. Smith of Oak vile, and he got that surprise before he had been many minutes on the mat Smith proved great defensive wrest- Ter and the clever hand of John Kelly appeared in all Smiths tactics. As game a chap as ever stepped onto a mat was this Smith, for he received a hard gruelling from Roach, but he stood it like Trojan and fought back every minute of the time. Jack Roach has never wrestled better in his life than he did last night, and it is a good thing for the local boy that he had trained so faithfully. Both weighed in at the ringside and neither tipped the beam at 12S pounds, although Roach seemed to be tri6e the heay- fer. Roach got his man to the mat after a few minutes of fiddling and worked every trick he knew to make quick fall Smith was there with the goods, however and out of almost impossible holds he wriggled and wormed his way. Jack looked sur prised at the resistance he met and worked harder than ever to throw his man. Smith was on top a couple of times, but as an offensive man he did not accomplish much. As the twenty four minute time approached Roach se- cured a dangerous scissors hold, lock ing Smiths head in such position that it was impossible for the 0akyille boy to get away. Gradually he was forced downward by sheer weight and strength and the first fall was accord ed to Roach. Roach went after his man still harder in the second try and Smith gave another exhibition of gameness that has seldom been sur passed in this city. He worked out of hammerlocks, half-Nelsons and scissors locks until it seemed Roach could not pin him again. Smith in sheer desperation fought him of and several times gained the top and tried hard for a fall himself. Roach gradu- ally worked him into the same hold he had on the first fall, and although Smith was held in dangerous posi- ton for several minutes he still fought back, but had to succumb finally at the end of fifteen minutes. It was one of the best bouts ever seen In this city.
 The star preliminary proved to be a star match indeed. George Gresham and Young Blondin fought 1t out for one hour without either gaining fall. It had been hinted that Blondin would make a monkey of Gresham and would win easily. but Gresham proved that he has not lost all his gameness nor cleverness. for be fought the plucky Blondin inch by inch. always holding back a little reserve strength for use in tight places. Blondin was the ag- gressor throughout. but he could not secure a hold firm enough to throw his man. It was a corking good match.
 Robillard of the South End club threw Bowman of the North End club two falls in quick order for the first preliminary.