The National Championships held at Leicester last Saturday, wound up the cross-country season as far as Wallasey athletes are concerned.
Due to employment and domestic difficulties Wallasey were unable to send team and only Woolford and Barlow traveled, to compete as individuals. Barlow again troubled with a foot injury was forced to retire whilst Woolford ran gamely over a course which did not really suit him to finish in 54th position, Wirral A.C. with whom Wallasey have disputed first place on so many occasions this season finished in 14th place.
Looking back over the season Wallasey's senior team can feel quite satisfied with their performances and again proved to be the most successful of the Merseyside clubs.
The team retained the Cheshire County title, were runners up in the Liverpool & District Championships and then at Blackpool produced their best running of the season to win the West Lancs. Championships for the first time for over 50 years. In the Northern the team finished 5th and were little disappointed in this performance.
Brian Woolford had the most success individually being placed 2nd on no less than three occasions. Ron Barlow, troubled throughout the season with a foot injury produced his normal form only in the Northern Championships in which he finished 12th place. John Wright was also troubled with illness and was forced into a long lay off just prior to the Championship season, nevertheless John still produced running of a sufficiently high standard to bring him in the Championships as Wallasey's 3rd counting man.
Of the remaining members of the team Roy Parry, making a comeback after many years away from the sport, can be well pleased with the performances he turned in; Kevin Mather has had to fight hard in every race and after his fine race in the Waterloo Road Race and his good form in the Mob runs appeared to loose the edge on his running. Brian Chalton an steadily throughout the season but perhaps he did not quite achieve the results that he expected; John Young improved with every outing and his 89th position in the Northern Championships was his best race of the season; and David Field in his first year as a senior really found the going very hard but
the experience will no doubt stand him good stead for future cross-country seasons.
The juniors fielded a full team on only one occasion, but showed sufficient good running to suggest that they may well turn into a force to he reckoned with next season. Nigel Thompson, Mark Aldridge, Mike Teehan and Tony Parry will all still be in the junior age group next season. The boy's team did not live up expectation and only Alan Bell, who had a really fine season, ran to form.
Next Saturday, Wallasey will be entering teams in the Windermere-Kendal Road Race and the Sutton Harriers Road Race. Last season Wallasey won both of these races
This Saturday there will be a run from the club H.Q. at 2:45 p.m. Members and friends will be welcome at the Club headquarters between 7:15 and 9:00 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday evenings or any Saturday between 2.00 and 5.00 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 07/03/1964 by STEPTOE
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