In the 11th annual Wallasey Schools Cross-Country Championships promoted by Wallasey Athletic Club from their headquarters at Leasowe Road, Wallasey last Saturday, nineteen teams from ten schools in the borough mustered 124 runners for the start of the race by the Director of Education, Mr. H. R. B. Wood.
Moreton Secondary Modern School, the holders of the A. G. Nicholson Challenge Trophy, were soon well to the fore. Leaving the playing fields, they had no fewer than five runners in the first twelve places and from this stage it appeared certain that they would be easy winners of the team race.
The course, slightly shortened because of the heavy conditions which prevailed after recent heavy rain, took the runners out on to Bidston Marshes. In these conditions the younger members of the team found some difficulty in keeping pace with their elders, but such is the spirit and stamina of the youth of Wallasey that only is very small number of competitors retired before the end of the race.
D. Bibby and T. Hocking, both of Moreton Secondary Modern School, had an exciting duel for individual honours and it proved to be one of the few times that Bibby has defeated Hocking - he came home the winner by about 20 yards, in 9 mins. 25 secs.
They were followed by K. Kal, of Wallasey Technical School, in third place. The fourth competitor was T. Lock of Moreton Secondary Modern School. He was followed home by Dickinson, also of Moreton Secondary Modern School, who unfortunately had been placed in their 'A' team and therefore did not qualify for a winner's medal although he did in fact finish seven places in front of the winning team's fourth counting man, D. McMurray, in twelfth place.
The team result was:-
1, Moreton Secondary Modern School 'B' team, 19 points.
2, Gorsedale Secondary Modern School, 'A' team, 44 points.
3, Wallasey Secondary Technical School, 'A' team, 86 points.
4, St. George's Secondary Modern School, 90 points.
5, Wallasey Grammar School, 92 points.
6, New Brighton Secondary Modern School, 112 points.
7, Liscard Secondary Modern School 'A' team, 123 points.
8, Oldershaw Grammar School, 'A' team 143 points.
9, Moreton Secondary Modern School, 'A' team, 145 points.
10, St. Hilda's R.C. School, 172 points.
11, Gorsedale Secondary Modern School '13' team, 184 points.
12, Gorsedale Secondary Modern School 'C' team, 232 points.
13, Wallasey Technical School 'B' team, 265 points.
14, Oldershaw Grammar School 'B' team, 270 points.
15, New Brighton Secondary Modern School 'B' team, 290 points.
16, Oldershaw Grammar School 'C' team, 324 points.
17, Gorsedale Secondary Modern School 'D' team, 348 points.
18, Oldershaw Grammar School 'D' team, 370 points.
19, Oldershaw Grammar School 'E' team, 390 points.
In the youths' open Individual championship, a grand race was held over three miles, Wallasey Grammar School completely monopolised the event, but it was gratifying to members of Wallasey Athletic Club to know that the first three competitors were also members of the club. The race was won by G. A. Benson, followed by Hooker and Duncan, all three of them running a very strong rare under most tiring conditions.
The afternoon's proceedings had been graced by the attendance of the Mayor (Aldermen M. Boggin), who presented the awards.
Wallasey Athletic Club have already derived benefit from the championships, some of the competitors having already joined the club, thereby increasing its strength in depth which is so badly required at the present time. Any other competitor in last Saturday's race desiring information about club membership, should contact Bob McCaig at 30 Taunton Road, Wallasey, phone New Brighton 1362.
Returning to club affairs the handicap result of the Liverpool & District Cross-Country League is now to hand, and as was anticipated in last week's notes, Wallasey were easy winners by no fewer than 157 points:
Less Net
Gross h'cap Points
Wallasey A.C. 163 160 3
Liverpool Harriers 392 160 232
Sutton Harriers 395 160 235
Port Sunlight A.C. 704 460 244
Pembroke C. & A.C. 266 Scr. 266
Sefton Harriers 439 160 279
Boundary Harriers 841 500 341
Four other teams also took part in the league but did not complete their fixtures.
Today, thirteen member clubs of the West Lancs. Cross-Country Association will compete at Kirkby for the Ham Finney Trophy. This event is an elimination race and no member of Wallasey's winning team of two years ago is eligible to compete. Wallasey's attack today is therefore headed by Brian Woolford and Kevin Mather, both of whom stand a chance of gaining individual honours. If only six runners counted as a team, Wallasey would be in the race with a chance of team honours, but as eight runners are required, a place in the first three is probably the best that can be anticipated.
Boy and youth members running in the open races should meet at 30 Taunton Road, by not later than 1:15 p.m. and the seniors and juniors should meet at Liverpool Landing Stage (by bookstall) at 1:30 p.m.
The first race, the boys', is timed to start at 2:15 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 05/12/1959
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