Norwich bulletin., 1909-03-06
Cspecial to The RuIletin.l )


 Wfllimantic, March 5.-The sparring exhibition and wrestling match at the Windham Athletic club this evening was the best card of the season, and the audience was in keeping with the quality of the event. Kid Wilkerson of Lowell, Mass, and Kid Mccarthy of Willimantic furnished interesting sport in preliminary sparring bout of four rounds. The local chap was the lighter by about twelve pounds, but had a shifty way about him that caught the audience and many are of the opinion that Wilkerson was outpointed, al- though no decision was given
 L. N. Dondero and R. O. Snow of the Windham A. C. were referee and timer, respectively.
 Young Shea of this city, who was unable to meet W1lkerson Friday even ing, because of recent injury to his side while wrestling, will meet the lat ter in the near future.
 When MT. Dondero announced the conditions of the main event of the evening and introduced Bill Collins of Central Village, the middleweight champion of Connecticut, and Steva Barrett of Milford, N. H., the former Canadian middleweight champion, and Referee Charles Pirolo of the Cannon ball A. c. of New London gave the signal for the commencement of the match. there was a storm of applause that was frequently and impartially repeated at different intervals through out the entire match, which was with out question the cleanest and finest ex- hibitlon ever given in this city. Bar rett and Collins worked at lightning speed. Barrett showed many clever points and wriggled out of dangerous holds with a dexterity that gave evil dence of long and successful work at the game.
 Barrett obtained the first fall in 2s minutes flat on a half Nelson with an armlock, after forcing the gruelling contest at the fastest clip yet seen in the Thread City.
 When the contestants next faced each other Collins, the pride ef eastern Connecticut appeared to be endowed with new vigor and went into the match with a dash and rapidity that began to tell on his clever opponent. Collins was awarded the second fall in Is minutes on full Nelson with a toe- hold.
 It was even up and the audience realized that a genuine wrestling match was being fought out by two of the most adept and sportsmanlike opponents of the game.
 As the match progressed Collins gathered still more strength. while Barrett began to show signs of distress and after repeatedly successfully breaking Collins dangerous toehold was at last so wearied that he was caught with it once too often and forced to the mat for the second time. Collins obtained the fall in 20 minutes aon a toehold and half Nelson with foot. Timers were Taylor and Mike Sulli- van.
 Jack TcGrath, the Irish Giant, of Norwich, announced for Barrett that he would like another chance with Collins as he had been wrestling every night for three weeks, and on Thurs day night at Nashua, N. H., he had wrenched his ankle badly. Collins ac- cepted the challenge and a match will be arranged within a month. The an- nouncement and acceptance was the signal for another storm of cheers that showed the genuine appreciation of a satisfied audience. Jim Barnes of Springfield has accepted Bill Collins challenge for a finish match and Col lins has posted substantial forfeit The match will take place March Is, but the place is undecided.