Notwithstanding the strong team which Liverpool Pembroke A.C. fielded at Wallasey last Saturday, the home club should have made a much closer race than the results indicate.
Failing to take the tactical advantage of running on their own course, the Wallasey senior team allowed itself to become split up even before the first mile had been covered, and at that stage the race was virtually decided.
At one period it certainly looked like an overwhelming victory for Pembroke when they held the first seven places, but some hard running in the later stages gave Wallasey four places in the first eight finishes.
Two of Wallasey's best runners, R. E. Young and G. K. Andrew, were unable to turn out and this may have accounted somewhat for the lack of co-ordination in the Wallasey team. C. Kelly, the Irish international runner, and H. Marsh, English junior international, both of Pembroke, tied for first place just in front of J. Edwards, the Wallasey captain, with J, S. Arkless, Wallasey A.C.'s vice-captain a close up fourth. R. Leach, of the home club, former Cheshire County Mile Champion, was 7th, and G. K. Williams, runner-up in the last Wallasey Cross-Country Championship, was immediately behind in 8th place. The brothers D. Dickinson and A. Dickinson ran extremely well in such good company to finish in 11th and 13th places respectively. The run was over a seven miles course.
Wallasey A.C.'s youths (under 18) team atoned for the seniors' lapse by beating Pembroke's youths. E. J. Ballard and M. Ward, although not in the counting team, ran well and will do better when more experienced.
Johnston again delighted the Wallasey supporters with a most comfortable win. Denis Kelly was third and A. Simpson, youths' captain, showed improved form by taking 6th place. The youths' course was over 3½ miles.
Results:
Senior: Pembroke A.C. - 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10. 33 points.
Wallasey A.C. - 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 13. 48 points.
Youths: Wallasey A.C - 1, 3, 6. 10 points.
Pembroke A.C. - 2, 4, 6. 11 points.
To-day one of the most attractive events in the athletes' calendar is being staged, the Christmas Handicap, which this year is being started by the Mayor and promises to draw a record entry. The start is timed for 3 p.m. prompt.
Next Saturday, Wallasey visit Prenton for an inter-club race with Wirral A.C.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 21/12/1946
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