Sporting Days Recalled

With the recent wrestling and boxing bouts held in the city, earlier days of these manly arts, and that of cycling, will be recalled by many of those who took part in them.

Well known on the cycling scene in the middle '30's before going onto wrestling in the '40's and '50's was Bernie Thomson. A professional for six years before being reinstated as an amateur, he won many titles.

Back in 1937 this picture of Gisborne's wrestlers was taken and many of the men pictured are still well known around the Poverty Bay area. They are, from left, in front: Karl Buscke, George Geddes, Herb Duckworth, Ivan Buscke, Ernie Hjorring. Centre row: Peter Sweeny, Colin Flavell, Frank Stafford, Archie Campbell, Stan Walker, Claude Baigent, Tom Smale. Back row: Neil Summersby, Ernie Perrott, Mick Smale, Jack Coleman and Blackie Read.

Bernie Thomson in the late "40's with many of the wrestling trophies won by him.

In the year 1936 Bernie rode against crack Australian riders. From left, Len Rogers 1, Bernie Thomson 2, Joe Walsh 3.

The team which competed in the H.B.-E.C. championships at Hastings in 1950 was, from left, in front W. O'Connell (bantam weight), E. Burton (trainer), L. Cribb (lightweight champion). Back row: B. Read (welter champion), T. Smale (secretary G.W.A.), B. Thomson (runner-up welter and middle weight).

Champions of the 1932-33 professional athletic and cycling season were, with president E. Sharples, Bernie Thomson (cycling), E. Cater (sprint), A. Lloyd (ladies'), H. Easton (distance).

At Hastings in 1951 with world champion negro wrestler Jack Claybourne are from left, B. Kirk, E. Taylor (both Hastings), Leo Cribb, Claybourne, Bernie Thomson, Blackie Read, Ernie Hjorring.

Recognise any of these faces today? This is the Marist Brothers School boxing tournament team of 1932. From left, at back: W. Dennett, J. Murphy, B. Thomson, R. Patty, P. Shone, J. Bolger, N. Malcon. Centre row; T. McFadyen, J. Prendergast, M. Krebs, P. Barry, C. Candy, P. Murphy, E. Gardener, L. Donoghue, L. McMahon. Front row; W. Shaskey, L. Gavin, B. McMahon, Mr S. Bardwell (instructor), J. Shone, R. Thomson, B. Sceats. In front: P. Edwards and J. Hepburn.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 180 : June 18, 1969

Sporting Days Recalled