In the first athletic meeting of the season it was the Wallasey Athletic Club runners who gained all the successes. Most of the field event specialists have yet to compete this season.
On a heavy track from overnight rain and with a strong wind, the athletes had plenty to contend with. The most meritorious performance came in the middle distance events.I
In the senior men's 800 metres, a field of no less than 22 runners was forced to jostle for the inside lane in the two-lap event. Wallasey's Bob Warburton and Doug Hanna did well to work their way through the field into second and fifth places. Doug's time
of 2 mins. 4.5 secs. was particularly noteworthy after his quiet winter season.
In the senior men's 2,000 metre steeplechase, Dave Lockley can consider himself a little lucky, as Olympic runner Alan Blinstone fell and was forced to retire, leaving Dave an easy winner in 6 mins. 18 secs. Bob Brimage ran well in support to finish third in 6 mins. 39 secs.
Peter Lewis and Mike Teahan had a fine first and second in the 400 metres, and both were credited with 52.8 seconds.
With a strong ladies' contingent successes came in the 800 metres where Barbara Banks led from the start to win in 2 mins. 22 secs. - a good early season time. Behind, Sylvia Brimage, Susan Carter, Gillian King, Mary Caldwell and Lindsey Mutch produced personal bests in exhibiting Wallasey's dominance.
Wallasey could only enter four-field events, and Alan Cheers produced the only bright light by coming second in the senior long jump of 19 ft 5½ ins. (6.1 metres).
Today is the Merseyside Track and Field League meeting, when Wallasey will be trying to beat their second place of last year.
Wallasey was host to the Northern Veterans Club on Sunday. The veterans, whose members are all over 40 years old, battled it out over a tough 10 kilometre course which included a run up Portland Road, a test to younger athletes.
All 27 runners completed the course, setting a fine example to younger runners.
Carl Gee, the Wallasey discus thrower extraordinary ran well to finish in 17 min with Jim Rimmer, (25 mins.) and Ramsey Hewson, (26 mins.). The race was won by F. Rigby (Leeds A.C.) in the excellent time of 32 mins. 21 secs. for the six miles.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 25/04/1970 by P.M.W.
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