The high wind's experienced on Merseyside last Saturday were noticeable at St. Helens, where Wallasey A.C. competed against other teams in the annual H. S. Finney championships.
These races give a good idea of the form which will be shown in the bigger championships and I can honestly say that Wallasey should be well to the fore in boys and youths this season.
The boys' race was won by Wallasey's most promising young runner, Ron Barlow. Ron took the lead after a quarter of a mile and won easily from Tony Townsend, a new youngster from Wallasey Grammar School.
Also well up in this race were much improved Tony Farrell and Dave White, who were sixth and eighth respectively.
With these four boys Wallasey should have a very strong team this season.
The youths' race was won by C. W. Fozard of Sefton Harriers, Wallasey's men were seventh, Roy Shaw, who perhaps took the lead too early, ninth Ian Mclvor another stray Wallasey Grammar School runner, tenth Brian Woolford; who though unfit ran well on a course which suited him, a much improved Bill Farrell ran in twelth.
These boys were closely followed by Brian Hamilton nineteenth, Les William twenty-first and Pete White twenty-second.
With more stamina training the youths should show more of the promise they showed as boys when in 1952 they won nearly every championship they entered.
The seniors and junior's had a combined team race and unfortunately Wallasey could not finish a team. However, our men ran very well and the positions were thirty eighth John Lynch, who has regained his old form and who seems bent on more improvement, fifty-eighth John Ryan, the newcomer who is progressing steadily with every race; sixty-sixth Dave Standfast who improves with every race, and seventy-first Alan Clarke who though improved needs to train harder.
The run was marred by the gale force wind which caused many people to drop out and also the extremely heavy going, but Wallasey's men enjoyed a good outing and did succeed in bringing back some prizes.
Next week the club holds the annual novice championships for runners over 16 on October 1, 1954, who have not won a prize for a race of a mile or over.
If there are five or more competitors there will be sealed handicap prize.
The winner of the race will receive a medal and the Novice Cup. The second man home will also be awarded a club medal. The race will start at 3.15 prompt. All non-novices please turn out to assist with marking etc.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 11/12/1954 by SPIKE
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