GRAND BARD CONGRATULATES AUSSIE WRASSLERS

 

To the delight of the organisers, Grand Bard Mr John Bolitho watched, celebrated and then presented championship prizes to the winners of the 3^rd National Australian Cornish Wrestling Championships on 2 March 2002. In keeping with recent tradition, the National Cornish Festival was used as the backdrop for the event. Fittingly, this year it was the turn of Bendigo. Few Australian towns can boast a finer Cornish history than Bendigo where, in the 1850’s, some 80 per cent of the population was Cornish-born.

 

A sizeable crowd had gathered at The Green between the Town Hall and Civic Library and, after a fine Bardic ceremony, witnessed two and a half hours of spirited wrestling in the Cornish style. Organiser, Colin Roberts gave a commentary over the PA system introducing the wrasslers, explaining the moves and announcing the winners in the various divisions.

 

This year saw two female divisions with junior and senior girl competitions. The Junior Girl Champion was Lauren Jones – the fourth of the Jones’ clan to don the canvass jacket. Senior Girl, Kerenza Dunkerley from NSW, defended her title from Moonta the previous year.

 

There were no less than eight entrants for the Junior Boys title, the final being between Victorian Paulo Zosky and New South Welshman Shane Parker. Shane, pictured below, won the title for the second year in a row with a very fine technical and athletic display.

 

The Senior Boys Division again saw Michael Roberts and Luke Jones paired up, and again you couldn’t put a cigarette paper between them. Onlookers saw some of the best technique in the Cornish style for the afternoon from Michael, but by the end of the bout it was another Jones trophy with Luke victor by one point.

 

Middle and lightweights were put together in the same division to make up a total of four wrasslers. Victorian veteran David Stone was too skillful again for Owen Dunkerley from NSW. Apart from Colin Roberts, Owen is the only competitor to have entered into all three National Championships and his development over that time has been impressive. The following bout proved to one of the best for the afternoon, leaving the crowd cheering for victor and vanquished alike. Simon Carroll, Judo expert from Ballarat, took on Justin Quinn from Reservoir, also a Victorian. Justin had entered for the first time and should have been no match for the highly skilled Carroll. However, in a fantastic display of athleticism, Quinn proved almost impossible to ‘back’. Carroll was the victor in the end and went on to win the division.

 

 

As had been previously decided, the winner of this division had the opportunity to enter the heavyweight competition to make up the numbers to six. Bob Manning had the unenviable task of taking on reigning champion Gavin Dickson from NSW. Gavin was so highly favoured it was impossible to get a bet on him! In a wonderful show of support for the competition, Gavin had driven down overnight all the way from Sydney with another heavyweight entrant and three junior competitors. To everyone’s disappointment (but Bob’s relief) Gavin tore a hamstring early on in the event and had to concede the bout. Victorian, Colin Roberts next took on Sholto Maud from Ballarat and won on points. This was followed by what looked to be the mismatch of the century; Sumo specialist John Traill from Sydney against lightweight Simon Carroll. No mismatch at all! Simon proved too tricky by far and progressed through to final ‘round robin’.

 

Roberts beat the taller Manning on points and Carroll also defeated Manning, his fourth victory for the day!

So, the final was set up between Colin Roberts and Simon Carroll. Roberts was thrown to the ground twice but was able to complete the bout losing on points in a very clear victory to Simon Carroll.

 

Grand Bard, Mr John Bolitho thanked the organisers and the three sticklers Doug Jones, Wendy Roberts and Chris Dunkerley and presented awards donated by the Cornish Association of Victoria to the winners of each division.

 

In a spirited speech of congratulation Mr Bolitho pledged to raise funds to bring out a small team of wrasslers from Cornwall in two years time, believing the  Wrasslers from ‘Down Under’ to be more than competitive with the ‘Cornish Original’.

 

Junior Boy Champion, Shane Parker showing his skills

 

Grand Bard, Mr John Bolitho (far left) with the competitors and organisers. Double Champion, Simon Carroll is to the right of the front row with his shirt off.