Wallasey's athletic forces were split three ways last weekend when groups from the club attended meetings at Derby, Stretford and Warrington.
At Derby, where the junior inter-counties were contested over a 6-mile grassland course. Alan Keating, Mike McNamee and Ken Rosso represented Cheshire for the first time and although exact placings are not yet to hand it is known that from over 110 starters the Wallasey trio were grouped together in the 60's at the finish.
Essex took the team title from Lancashire, with Sussex 3rd whilst B. Milestone (Northumberland and Durham) won the individual.
Whilst big brother Alan was running in 'big league' little Philip Keating chalked up his best performance to date in a season which has seen him emerge as the most improved runner in the club when he was placed 18th in a field of 90-plus over a 2-mile country course at Stretford.
Bob Brimage lost ground at the start but pulled steadily through the field to finish 22nd with Gary Fair 34th in his first run for the club as last counter.
Paul Hughes started too fast and although well placed at the mile mark fell away to 36th with young Steve Daniels in 64th place as Wallasey's last boy.
The youths' race was a three man relay over the same course and in a biting wind laced with sleet Mike Weatherilt put in a good first leg and in 6th position.
Philip Wealthy went away rather fast and despite a good effort slipped back two places and handed over to Johnny Jones in 8th position.
John managed to pull back one place on the last leg but the gap between him and the sixth man was irreparable and Wallasey had to settle for 7th place at the tape.
With the weather somewhat better on Sunday a group of five club members travelled to the well-attended Warrington winter track meeting were some good racing was experienced.
In the youths' 880 yards, Ian Wilson was boxed in on the first lap, with Pete Lewis tucked in behind the 14 starters; then, timing his run-in to perfection, he swept past the leaders to break the tape in 2 mins. 8.7 secs. with Peter 5th in a personal best of 2:10.
Dave Lockley put in a sound run in the 1,000 metres steeplechase and was leading with two hurdles to go, but was overhauled on the line by Tarry (Warrington). They were given the same time of 2 mins. 53.8 secs. and with speed work he should reduce this to 2:45 before long.
Barrie Smith and Doug Hanna ran in the 2 miles and were satisfied with runs of 10 mins. 20 secs. and 10:49 respectively.
Wallasey has six runners in today's English Schools Cross-Country Championships at Sheffield today. They are J. Jones, M. Weatherilt and S. Walker in the senior event. C. Reines in the intermediate and P. Keating and R. Brimage in the juniors.
After an enforced lay-off of nearly six months through injury international Ron Barlow makes his return to racing in the Sutton 7 mile road race. The club have two teams entered from R. Barlow, B. Woolford, J. Wright, B. Smith, L. Durkin,, A. Keating, K. Rosso, M.Teahan, D. Hanna and C. Gee.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 18/03/1967 by DISCOBOLUS
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