Last Saturday, Wallasey A.C. visited Aintree for their fixture with North Liverpool Gymnasium and Boundary Harriers.
Unfortunately the team was still weakened by the absence of one or two leading members, but despite this handicap, there was every confidence that it would put up a good show over a course on which in previous years, it has always done very well.
The runners got away to a fast start about 3.30 and for the first mile W. Richardson the Wallasey captain, led the field. In 1934, he put up one of the best performances in his career when he broke the North Liverpool Gymnasium record and it almost looked as if he intended to repeat the effort. However, it was not to be. On the second mile he fell away and was passed by several opponents. Difficulty with a running shoe cost him several places and though, he ran better than for several months, he had to be content with 14th position in the race.
As Richardson dropped back, J. Edwards, the Wallasey champion, moved up into the lead with Dunderdale and Roberts of North Liverpool and Fletcher of Boundary in close attendance. Edwards was running splendidly, but unfortunately he could not go ahead as no adequate trail had been laid and he was forced to wait for directions from the second man. It is thus fairly safe to say that he was robbed of victory. On the last half-mile his three opponents who knew the course were able to get away to leave him in fourth position. However, Edwards had the consolation of knowing that in normal circumstances he would have won fairly easily.
In second place for Wallasey, N. I. Marples did not run quite up to his usual form, though as he was handicapped by a slight cold, his position was very creditable. Moreover, like most of the Wallasey team he found the course very trying. It was dead flat the whole way and long stretches of road made the going difficult to runners used to the very different home conditions.
Close behind Marples came D. Grisdale, who in finishing third for the club, did well. He ran steadily throughout the race. This unfortunately is more than can be said for P. Watson, whose performance was very erratic. He started well up with the leaders, only to fall back and finish 21st in the race. Watson is a fine runner with great possibilities, but he must learn to run steadily and not vary his pace to such an extent. It is only fair to mention that he was racing for the first time after being off for 2½ months with a leg injury.
Of the other Wallasey runners, K. Broster and J. Whittingham again did quite well. J. Davis was not up to his usual form and was not placed.
Result :-
Boundary. - Fletcher 3, Onion 5, Cole 6, Craine 7, Adelsberg 11, O'Neill 12; total 44 points.
N.L.G.H. - Dunderdale 1, Roberts 2, New 8, Bennion 10, Kerrs 17, Henderson 18; total 56 points.
Wallasey - Edwards 4, Marples 9, Grisedale 13, Richardson 14, Broster 19, Watson 21; total 80 points. Williams 23. Davis 24. Whittingham 26.
Today, Wallasey A.C. have a home run. It is most important that all active members should be out, for next week the championship season opens in earnest with the West Lancashire Race at Makerfield.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 29/01/1938
Ref 1783