by Roger Robson (Photos © Roger Robson, Julian Richardson or Linda Scott)
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The four wrestling events of last week, Ambleside Sports, Langholm Common Riding, Cockermouth Show and Beetham Sports, brought out the diversity of Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling.
Ambleside, the great survival of the traditional Lakeland Sports meetings with hounds, hills, runners, bikes and wrestling had a great performance by John Harrington who won two weights in great style and gained the Guinness Trophy for the best wrestling performance. The Brocklebank family, back to full strength with Thomas returned from injury, won the two heaviest weights. Graham Brocklebank buttocked the buttocker to fell Richard Fox in the final of the 14 stones and Thomas felled Joe Threlfall in the closest of encounters in the All Weights final. And Megan Gibson, in a smart wrestling strip, won the first girls event ever at Ambleside.
Langholm Common Riding, with its skirl of pipes and dancing, horses racing by, professional track-running, much alcohol and wrestling, ignored the rain, and drew the crowds with local lads taking on the champions. Richard Fox got into top gear and won two weights, though John Harrington did take the first fall in the All Weights final with a “Peter Hunter”, a sneaky and sudden right leg outside stroke which leaves the victim prostrate and feeling foolish.
The Cockermouth claustrophobic ring had cows watching from a neighbouring tent, and a dense focused crowd. Local boys had their wins. Jimmy Hall got back to winning ways in the Under 18s and then was second in the All Weights. John Harrington (11 ½ st) and Richard Fox (13st and All Weights) were the winners, but Andrew Carlile and Richard Dixon added greatly to the class and excitement of the bouts.
Beetham, a small country sports meeting on rough grass behind the village, had all the usual suspects in the wrestling: the Atkinsons, Brocklebanks, and Hodgsons, and Joe Threlfall won the All Weights.
Results:
Ambleside Sports - Under 12 Years 1, S Brown; 2, T Gibson; 3, J Lashley. Under 15 Years 1, W Atkinson; 2, I Hammond; 3, T Gibson. Under 18 Years 1, S Mason; 2, M Atkinson; 3, J Brown. Girls Under 14 Years 1, M Gibson; 2, L Wilson ; 3, E Wilson . Ladies Open 1, C Hodgson; 2, D Thompson; 3, L Murray . 11 ½ st 1, John Harrington; 2, R Dixon ; 3, W Noimai . 12 ½ st 1, John Harrington; 2, G Benson; 3, M Laurie. 14st 1, G Brocklebank; 2, R Fox; 3, G Benson. All Weights 1, T Brocklebank; 2, J Threlfall; 3, J Hale. Guinness Trophy: John Harrington
Langholm Common Riding - Under 12 Years 1, T Gibson; 2, W Jemmel ; 3, O Raine. Under 16 Years 1, W Hayhurst ; 2, J Brown; 3, T Gibson. Ladies Open 1, B Davies; 2, M Gibson; 3, E Raine . 11 ½ st 1, John Harrington; 2, J Brown; 3, J Hayhurst. 13st 1, R Fox; 2, G Nichol; 3, John Harrington. All Weights 1, R Fox; 2, John Harrington; 3, J Oliver.
Cockermouth Show - Under 12 Years 1, R Scott; 2, T Wales ; 3, M Wharton. Under 15 Years 1, J Blamire; 2, M Wharton; 3, T Wales . Under 18 Years 1, J Hall; 2, J Blamire; 3, T Wales . 11 ½ st 1, John Harrington; 2, A Carlile; 3, J Brown. 13st 1, R Fox; 2, R Dixon ; 3, A Carlile. All Weights 1, R Fox; 2, J Hall; 3, John Harrington. Ladies Open 1, A Mcgregor; 2, C Wilson .
Beetham Sports - Under 12 Years 1, T Gibson; 2, J Lashley; 3, G Wilson . Under 14 Years 1, J Hayhurst; 2, G Wilson ; 3, T McGuire. Under 16 Years 1, W Hayhurst ; 2, M Atkinson; 3, W Atkinson. Under 18 Years1, M Atkinson; 2, W Hayhurst ; 3, W Atkinson. Ladies Open 1, C Hodgson; 2,L Wilson ; 3, M Gibson. 12 ½ st 1, D Parsons; 2, B Brocklebank; 3, W Atkinson. All Weights 1, J Threlfall; 2, T Hodgson; 3, S Wilkinson.
Dates:
Saturday 7th August 2pm Powburn U10/U13/U16/11 ½ /14/AW
Sunday 8th August 12.30pm Gilsland U14/U18/11 ½ /13 ½ /AW and then on to….
3pm Forestburngate U10/U12/U15/U21/12 ½ /15 ½ /AW/Ladies (£500)
Saturday 14th August 12 noon Dalston U12/U15/U18/11 ½ /13/15st Ch'ship/AW
Sunday 15th August 2pm Torver U12/U15/U16/11 ½ /13/AW/Ladies/Costume
Saturday 21st August Rusland, Gosforth, and Allendale.
Sunday 29th August Grasmere Sports 10 am