The mens' and women's sections of Wallasey Athletic Club showed disappointing results in their relay events at the weekend, but the club had teams in all the age groups.
The men competed in the Cheshire road relay championships where they finished 4th last year, but they never looked like finishing as high this year. The team got off to a poor start and Bob Brimage, who has not recovered from a recent knee injury, finished 8th on the first leg of 3 miles.
Pete Lewis ran the next leg in 16 mins. 29 secs., the fastest of the team's despite a hard week's training. Phil Wealthy, who is still injured, fell further behind leaving the remaining runners Doug Hanna, Dave Hughes and Len Durkin no chance of improving the position. Wirral A.C. ran out winners from Stoke A.C. and Altrincham A.C.
The boys were rather more successful, finishing in third position in their event over a 1½ mile lap. Eddie Kanes, team captain, led off and finished close to the leader in 9 mins. 3 secs. Neil Simpson followed and recorded the same time and Brendan Kelly, who made his debut for the club, was only 2 seconds slower with a fine run which gave Dave Shipley a good chance on the final leg. He covered it in 8 mins. 32 secs. gaining one position for the club.
The women were at Leverhulme Park, Bolton for an annual relay meeting which attracted a huge entry. Despite the absence of two established runners from the senior team two strong teams were fielded. Unfortunately disaster befell the 'A' team when Sylvia Brimage, who ran the first leg, was injured and forced to retire. This was a bitter disappointment to her after being well up with the leaders at the halfway stage.
The 'B' team was well placed thanks to a fine run by Audrey McKay in her first distance run for the club and Susan Carter followed her maintaining the position and giving Janice Watts a good chance of gaining a few places. This she did, eventually, and brought the team home 8th, and recorded the 4th fast leg of the day.
Stretford A.C. were the eventual winners but Wallasey can still be very confident for today's Northern League meeting when their strongest team will be competing.
The junior girls team did well, they finished in the top half of a huge field. The fastest leg came from Lyn Carter on the first stage.
The intermediate team, probably the least fit, was the most disappointing finishing 19th through the efforts of Susan Lloyd, Julie Halfpenny and Jean Baxter.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 16/10/1971
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