An attempt by Wallasey Athletic Club to establish a 4 x 1 mile relay time of 19 mins. 40 secs. for the youths' race, came within 8 seconds of fruition when the 'A' team returned 19 minutes 48 seconds at Lingham Park track last Saturday.
Immediately before the start club member spent 15 minutes clearing the track of stones and large pieces of clinker that had come to the surface by the recent heavy rains and it is estimated that the loose nature of the track lost the runners about one second per lap. Four team lines up at the start with Barrie Smith taking the first leg for the junior team, John Jones for the youths 'A', Mike Teahan (running as a guest) for the Youths' 'B' and Neil Hampson for the boys. ' Smith clocked 4 mins. 45 secs., the same time as Teahan, Jones kept his team 'in touch' with a 4:51, whilst Hampson just broke six minutes with 5:59.
On the second leg, junior Alan Keating, was below par with 5:02, as was Ray Kay in 5:05 for the 'A' team. Dave Warrilow ('B') returned 5:38, first four seconds faster than Pete Lewis.
Doug Hanna kept the juniors in the lead with a 4:59 leg. Dave Adair ran a 5:10 for the 'A' team, Mike Hampson 5:52 for the 'B' team and Mike Potter 5:46 for the boys.
The fourth and final leg left Dave Lockley a lot to do, but he set about it with great endeavour, passing Ken Rosser on the third lap and finished with a 68 seconds last lap to give him a 4:42 total, which proved to be the fastest run of the day. Ken Rosser returned 5:29 for the juniors, and John Warrilow and Ian Wilson followed him in with 5.25 and 5.27.5 respectively.
The final times for the collective runs were: Youths 'A' 19:48, Juniors 20:15, Youths 'B' 21:40 and Boys 23:04.5.
Today is the first official cross-country Saturday, and club members and newcomers alike are urged to be on time for a 'massed start' run at 3 p.m. from club H.Q. in Leasowe Road. The pack will run together across Bidston Moss before breaking into groups depending on their running strength. A good turnout is expected.
Next Tuesday evening the club have a return friendly football match with the Moreton Youth Centre. In the first game M.Y.C. just got home by the odd, goal in nine and it is hoped that W.A.C. can reverse the result in the return game.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 04/09/1965 by DISCOBOLUS
Ref 1361