Most of the Wallasey Athletic Club members had a strenuous two days last week-end, with a series of track time trials on Saturday and a handicap race on Sunday over the grueling course in Denbigh.
In the 880 yds. trial Les Watcham won convincingly in 2 mins. 18 seconds. This time, despite the very strong wind, was only four seconds outside his personal best.
He was followed home by Steve Walker in 2:21.3 and Paul Barrie in 2:22.
The other times and places were; 4th Gary Little 2:22.8, 5th Pete Lewis 2-23, 6th Mike Potter in 2:24 and 7th Dave Caw in 2:28. As the times indicate the race was closely contended with only 10 seconds between the first and last man.
In the mile time trial the only sensible lap was the first one, Dave Lockley, who is still recovering from a severe dose of tonsillitis, was unwillingly thrust out in front to make the pace. He brought the field through the ¼ mile mark in 74seconds and then moved aside to let some-body else take the lead. From this moment the race degenerated into a shambles as five runners drifted aimlessly around the track in a solid block.
The final placings and times were: 1st, Barrie Smith 4:54; jnt. 2nd, D. Lockley, Mike McNamee 4:54.1; 4th, Johnny Jones 4:56; 5th, Mike Teahan 4:59.
A triple jumping competition was organised after the races and Gary Little emerged victor with a really good 38 ft. jump. At a county meeting Gary's leap would have earned him an A.A.A. Grade III Standard Badge, so in Gary, the club has a potentially first class jumper, Barrie Smith was second in the competition and Dave Caw was third.
In the 220 yards Dave Caw proved to be the fastest with a 26.7 second run, Mike McNamee and Barrie Smith shared 2nd place with 27.11 seconds.
On Sunday a handicap race was held on the tough 3 mile course just outside Denbigh, Richard Clegg, a discus thrower and new member, and Carl Gee convinced everybody that discus throwers' physiques are difficult to move over such terrain, so they were given liberal handicaps.
Carl dropped back with a stitch, but when the large hill was reached the back-markers were presented with the sight of' Richard, way ahead pounding up the hill, with Barrie Smith and Johnny Jones swarming after him.
Barrie Smith was 2nd and Johnny Jones 3rd;
Barrie Smith had the fastest time and a near course record; with 15:29, Johnny Jones stormed round in 15:42, and Allan Keating had the third fastest lap with 16:11. Both Melvin Schless and Allan Keating ran really well and each removed 1:05 from his previous time. Mel's time was 16.53.
Dave Lockley, was handicapped right out of the race because it was based on his previous run over this course and did not allow for the fact that he had been ill. He returned a time of 16:32, one second faster than Mike Teahan, who had fourth fastest lap.
Today there will be more time trials at Lingham Park, starting at 2.15 p.m. prompt.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 30/04/1966 by MAC
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