I would never condone violence of any sort and certainly not in the playground, however I do recall the phrase 'claimed at 4' and the human ring that was then formed at 4 with the chants of 'fight,fight,fight'. Looking back these were no more than aggressive tickle sessions and not even handbag sessions. My only 'bout' was in the late 60's. I clearly had pssd the aggressor off with some form of tomfoolery, but during the day the prepubescent testosterone shout went out 'claimed at 4'. My solo bout was with William 'Wum' Dodds. Having entered the gladiatorial ring and having passed my school bag to Scott 'Rambo' Gardiner, the bell was sounded and as Wum approached, I fell to my knees and instigated the famed Longy tears. Not one slap, not one tickle, not one foul mouthed adjective. We had a victor and we had the defeated crawling home with tail between legs. Appreciate there may have been more aggressive sessions and the occasional bloody nose or cauliflower ear but never any more and certainly, unlike today, no additional weapons allowed. Anyone else 'claimed at 4' and hopefully no-one recollects my 100% defeat record.
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