Cumberland wrestling round-up

Carlile with his 11st Championship trophy

The last few weeks have seen two championships changing hands at different age and weight levels.

Andrew Carlile felled Richard Dixon in the 11st final at Forestburngate, and age turned the under-15 years title holder, Joe Thompson, into a spectator as William Hayhurst felled his clubmate, Matthew Atkinson in the final at Beetham Sports.

In the first round of the 11st Championship, Andrew Carlile met the furthest travelled wrestler in David Fairfield of Dundee.

All Fairfield's keenness could not prevent Carlile swinging him away on an inside-hipe for the first fall, and for the second Carlile countered a Fairfield attack with a neat twist when he was off balance.

The final between Richard Dixon of Lessohall, Wigton and Andrew Carlile of Carlisle was always going to be close, although the first fall was over quickly.

Dixon went for the left side buttock, Carlile stopped it and in turn took his man away off the right hip.

The second hold was a much more cagey wrestle which ended near the edge of the ring with a sudden surge of action as Carlile took Dixon up high on a swinging inside-hipe.

Andrew Carlile is one of those rare wrestlers who is on top of his game and yet is able to put so much back into the sport through his coaching ability.

He is one of the three coaches at Carlisle Wrestling Club during the winter training sessions at Currock House, and he also was the main coach for the Gouren wrestling earlier this year as the team prepared for the European Championships.

Joe Thompson was the only wrestler to take part in all five events of the past week, and he won the under-18s at all of them against strongly competitive wrestlers.

Roger Robson

Many wrestlers keep fit through farm work, but Carlile is an office-worker who keeps his high level of fitness through running, cycling and gym work.

The new under-15 years champion, William Hayhurst of Natland, was no surprise as he has been a consistent winner this year.

The Hayhurst family has been a major element in Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling in the Kendal area for over sixty years, and the latest scions, William and younger brother, James, are worthy representatives of that family tradition.

Richard Fox of Hethersgill and Graham Brocklebank of Warton were both dominant in their local shows. Fox won both the 13 stones and the All Weights at Dalston Show.

Brocklebank did the same at Lonsdale Show. Richard Dixon did well to pick himself up after his championship defeat and win the 15 stones in significantly heavier company.

Jack Brown of Haydon Bridge has seemed drained in the weeks after his under-15 years/8st Championship win at Skelton Show, but he was back on good form last weekend, not just in winning two events, but in the manner in which he is fighting back against stronger opposition.

A special mention must be reserved for Joe Thompson of Alston, and his father, Peter, who chauffeurs him. He was the only wrestler to take part in all five events of the past week, and he won the under-18s at all of them against strongly competitive wrestlers.