Wallasey's senior athletes pulled off a great victory in the West Lancs Cross-Country Championships over a nine mile course at Blackpool last Saturday, This is the first time Wallasey have achieved victory in this event since 1911, and congratulations must go to all team members who spared no effort to attain this result.
A tremendous battle ensued throughout the race between Wallasey and Wirral A.C. for the team prize and it became apparent only in the final two mile lap that Wallasey would emerge as victors. When the points ware totaled up it was found that Wallasey had won by the narrow margin of three points. In third place, a further 40 points back were last seasons champions, Barrow A.C.
The individual titles went to Brendan Deary of Sefton Harriers but only after Brian Woolford of Wallasey, had given him a very worrying time, in fact, it was only in the last mile that Deary managed to make any impression on Woolford and forge ahead. Woolford ran an extremely fine race and finished quite a considerable distance in front of the third man, who was the Blackpool international Brian Craig.
Wallasey's second man home was Ron Barlow, who occupied 8th position. After a slow start Barlow strongly worked his way
through the field and showed no signs of his recent ankle injury.
In 12th place after a well-judged race was John Wright, now more like his old self. Brian Chalton, undoubtedly running his best race of the season, was the next man home 17th position, the extra distance and the heavy going appearing to suit him. Roy Parry, finding the extra two miles a little tiring, filled 21st place, and completing the scoring six was Kevin Mather, 23rd. A very hard run last lap by Mather in which he overtook the 5th and 6th Wirral men finally enabled Wallasey to clinch the title.
John Young, 31st and David Field, 60th, both turning in very creditable performances, completed the Wallasey entries in the senior race.
In the junior race Wallasey finished 5th in the team race, Nigel Thompson 17th, and Mark Aldridge, 18th both running extremely well.
Alan Bell again led the boys' team home with yet another fine performance, this time finishing in 9th place which is consistent with his other races this season. On this occasion, however, the team could only manage 5th position. Other places were David Burnst 21st, Les Watchman 35th and Eddie Oldham 36th. The remainder of the Wallasey runners were Mike Wood 37th, Robin Tarrant 38th, David Adair, 43rd and Des Robinson, 44th.
Today Wallasey's senior teem are competing in the St, Asaph to Rhyl Road Race commence 2:45 p.m. Last year Wallasey had a successful day in this event taking 3rd place in the individual event through Ron Barlow and winning the team race with Brian Woolford and John Wright. With these three now running as well as ever it is hard to visualise any other Wallasey victory. Also competing will be Roy Parry, Kevin Mather, Brian Chalton, John Young and David Field. Arrangements for travelling are as previously arranged.
There will be a club run from Headquarters at 2.30 p.m. for all other members.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 08/02/1964
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