Eccles fared better than Wallasey with the weather last Saturday and the course of the Northern Cross-Country Championships at Winton was in reasonable condition.
In each event between two and three hundred runners took part averaging about 30 teams. Although they were not placed in any of the events, the Wallasey teams ran well and the runners enjoyed themselves.
Ron Barlow ran a fine race to finish 16th in the boys' 2nd race. Ken Tunstall 62nd, Tony Farrell 67th and Ray Griffiths 107th, made a total of 252 points, for 13th team place. Ray White 122nd, Ted Davies 133rd and Eric Warden 142nd also took part. With the exception of two or three runners the boys are all eligible for the event next year, so with the extra experience they should be able to hold their own. Ron Barlow, should he maintain his present form will certainly be among the best next year.
The youths finished 12th with 270 points. It was also the first year in this event for most of the runners so they can be pleased with the result. The runners were Brian Woolford 47th, Roy Shaw 54th, Peter White 65th, and Ian Mclvor 104th. Brian Hamilton, Alan Nichols and Bill Farrell. The event was over a 3 mile course.
The juniors obviously missed the support of their stronger members. Roy Parry could not get leave from the Army and Eric Maddock and Don Anderson were none starters. There were, fortunately, the necessary 4 runners to complete a team, and as such they finished 17th with 377 points. Over the 6 miles course John Warden was 80th, Hugh Pritchard 93rd, John Winrow 96th, and Colin Harris 108th.
This Saturday, there will be a club run prior to the National Championship at Arrowe Park on the 13th. The start of the races for the National are:-
Youths 2:15 p.m., Senior 2:30 p.m., and Juniors 3:45 p.m. The changing rooms are at Prenton Secondary School, Temple Road, Prenton. Also on the 13th is the club dance at the Grosvenor Ballroom, 7:30 p.m. It is hoped as many club members as possible will support both events.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 06/03/1954 by J. Massey
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