Under severe weather conditions the senior, junior (18-21) and youths Cross-Country Championships of Wallasey Athletic Club were held at Leasowe last Saturday.
Whilst the extreme cold reduced the turn-out compared with recent weeks, the only notable and unexpected absentees were G. K. Williams in the senior, A. Simpson in the junior,, and W. Gee in the youth's event.
A ex-Nottingham University student and newcomer to Wallasey Athletic Club, W. R. Bee, provided the main thrill of the afternoon when he all but won the senior race on his second appearance with the club. J. Edwards, the holder, just getting ahead in a very fine finish after eight miles of rock-like country and road over which neither runner would give a yard. D. Dickinson, ran another good race to narrowly beat his brother, A. Dickinson, for third place. It was Edwards' fifth win, having been successful in 1936-7-8 and again last year. The second man, W. R. Bee, is a strong, stylish runner with a very promising athletic future ahead of him and he was possibly handicapped last Saturday through being unacquainted with parts of the course. J. S. Arkless, owing to recent illness, was unable to find his form and retired after three miles, a keen disappointment to this grand runner; who, in form, might easily have been first man home. In the absence of R. E. Young and G. K. Williams, the brothers Dickinson had the race for third place to themselves, and Denis reversed recent form by finishing in front, E. C. Foster being some distance behind fifth.
M. Ward won the Junior Championship, run in conjunction with the senior race, after a good run with A. Shelton, another recent addition to the club's strength. These two strong runners passed and repassed each other before Ward finally went ahead. A. Simpson was unwell and did not take part.
The result of the YOUTH'S CHAMPIONSHIP came as a surprise to many, the new captain, D. Kelly, scoring a fine victory over R. Johnston, the Novice Champion, after a stern fight over the 3½ miles course, Johnston was obviously not at his best, but this detracts in no way from Kelly's excellent performance. E. J. Ballard again moved well and finished third, with an exceedingly fine effort, by the club's youngest runner, J. Hawkesley, bringing up fourth place.
Results :- Senior Championship, 8 MILES.
1. J. Edwards 44 mins. 32 secs.
2. W. R. Bee 44 mins. 40 secs.
3. D. Dickinson 46 mins. 47 secs.
1st Junior, M. Ward 52 mins. 19 secs.
YOUTH'S CHAMPIONSHIP, 3½ MILES
1. D. Kelly 22 mins. 42 secs.
2. R. Johnston 24 mins. 12 secs.
3. E. J. Ballard 25 mins. 40 secs.
Edwards holds the Peers Challenge Cup and Kelly the R. J. Edwards Cup.
This Saturday the West Lancashire Cross-Country Association's senior, junior and youth's championships are being held at Woolton, and Wallasey Athletic Club will be represented in all three events. The programme starts at 2-45 and some good racing is ensured. 4W or 5W tram from South Castle Street, Liverpool, to terminus, or bus from the Pier Head.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 08/02/1947
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