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A grand wrestling match—for £ 100 and the championship of the world—(?) between Jack Carkeek, ‘ champion of America,’ and Thomas Bragg, ‘champion of England,’ took place at the St. James's hall, Plymouth, on Saturday. The large building was crammed and the audience was thoroughly fair, good natured, and enthusiastic, each man being applauded in two. This was specially noticeable, inasmuch as there were rumours that the combatants had squared the match. Carkeek was thoroughly pleased with the behaviour of the audience ; he said he had never had a better reception and had never been so fairly treated. But whatever has occurred elsewhere there is no doubt whatever that the match on Saturday was well con tested throughout, each man playing his best to win. Despite the fact that Carkeek injured himself severely he proved to be Bragg’s superior in every shape, and fairly beat the Englishman on all points. Carkeek, who has won notoriety by his recent ap pearances in Cornwall, is a Cornishman by birth, but is a naturalized American. He is 26 years of age, weighs 13st. 9lb., and stands 5 feet 10 inches high. He is splendidly built and his limbs are well proportioned. Bragg has been in training only a fortnight. He stripped well, but is still in rather too good a condition. He is a Cornishman, aged about 35. He stands only 5ft. Sin. high, and weighs 13st, 10lb. He is of big build, and very muscular Bragg has won several local contests. When the wrestlers were introduced to the audience on Saturday they were both well received. Play was stipulated to be in the Cornish style, and without shoes. Either man falling to his knees, or otherwise falling to the ground to prevent himself from being thrown, forfeited his back. either man striking, biting, or gouging his opponent was to lose the match and stakes. Neither was allowed to hold the two collars of his opponent in one hand. Carkeek selected Mr. Battishill ( who recently played with Bragg) and Bragg Mr. G. Bickle for sticklers, Mesars, Screech and Rendell were time keepers. The players then mutually agreed on Capt. Joseph Hodge, an old and experienced wrestler, as referee, and this met with the favour of the audience, who applauded Captain Hodge fondly. The stage, which was nicely laid with tan and sawdust, and then carpeted, made a good ‘ring,’ the audience having a splendid view. Carkeek advanced to the front of the stage and asked the audience to give each man fair play. They had sticklers and he wished the audience pot to pass any remarks, Play commenced at 7.40. Bragg caught hold of Carkeek and tried to throw him back, but the latter was very quick and both men fell to the ground. Bragg obtained a good grip in the next bout and attempted to level his opponent by the fore hip. Some pretty play was shown in the third hitch Carkeek got the right lock, and Bragg in trying to heave the American slipped and fell. The men were close to the ropes, in fact Carkeek fell partially outside. Carkeek had Bragg by his jacket around the neck, but be fore he tightened it the jacket came over Bragg’s head. The audience made stouts of disapproval, evidently under the impression that Bragg had slipped his jacket, but in this we believe they were mistaken. Bragg had the best hold in the following round. He tried the heave and pitched his opponent on his seat. Time, 20 minutes. Bragg now made a grand attempt to throw Car keek. He hoisted him clean off his legs, and threw him at his side, faling on him. Carkeek had an ugly fall and dis located his thumb beside splitting it open. After the match was over it was found that he had discounted one of his ribs, Carkeek had his thumb bandaged, and came up just after the call of time, Bragg allowing a slight interval. Both men had good grips and Carkeek caught Bragg by the right lock and threw him forward on his side, me, three minutes. The excitement was now very great, as the men appeared very evenly matched. Although the betting was in favour of Carkeek, Bragg had, if anything, the best of the contest up to this time. Next round, Carkeek again got the lock, and both came down together after three minutes’ play. Bragg cleverly obtained a good catch. He tried the heave and pitched Carkeek on his side, from which he turned on his knees and elbows. This round was decided in Bragg’s favour. The men were now warmed up to the work and played in earnest. Bragg got a fine grip and was about to give this man the ‘flying mare’ when he ran against the ropes and they were parted. Carkeek got the ‘lock,’ and Bragg in heaving pitched the American on his tether end. Time two minutes. t tis was a remarkably good bout. Bragg tried the heave and Carkeek responded with the ‘crook. ’ They both fell face downwards. Bragg released himself cleverly from a fine hold, and in trying the heave slipped and fell on his knees. Time three minutes. Up to this time neither man had gained a point. They both played very cautiously in the next, which proved the deciding round for the first back. Their catches were nearly alike—at the collar of the jacket each side of the head. They stood in front of each other for four minutes, when Carkeek, as quick as lightning, sprang at Bragg and threw him a splendid four-point fall by the right fore hip. The applause was very great. There was an interval of fifteen minutes, during which time Biscombe and Treeby played, but neither obtained a fall, and the last named refused to play at the finish. At the call of time Carkeek and Bragg came up to scratch, but it was apparent that Bragg was ill at ease. He did not appear so confident of himself, whilst a supercilious smile passed down the face of his adversary. They ob tained very good hitches, and played with considerable caution. Carkeek tried to throw Bragg, who fell on his knees. The second was a slow, watching round. The American did not seem satisfied with his hold. Bragg had a fine grip and was about to give his man the ‘ flying wave’ and in attempting threw his man against the ropes. A ‘break,’ of course, followed, which put Bragg out of temper. The third and last was a well-contested round. Both men did their best for five minutes, when Carkeek obtained the right lock and threw Bragg by the back lock, a good three point far, winning the match amid deafening applause. Carkeek informed the audience that they could bet their bottom dollar that when he put on the jacket he played fair and square, notwithstanding what the reporters said. In Bragg he had found a man that he was proud to meet and defeat. Carkeek was attended to at his hotel by Dr. Hughes. A match has been arranged between Carkeek and the noted Samuel Rundle. It will probably come off at the St. James's hall.
Newspaper Details
Cornwall Cornishman
Cornwall, South West England, GB
Thu, Aug 25, 1887
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Jay A.
GB 25 May 2026
Other Publications Near Cornwall, South West England
Cornwall Cornishman
