The scene at West Derby on Saturday was reminiscent of the Monstre Meet for there was a large field of 50 runners representing four teams - Sefton Harriers, the home side, Bangor University, Boundary Harriers and Wallasey.
The weather conditions were almost perfect - if anything it was a little too warm - when the race was started by Mr. Harris, a Wallasey A.C. vice-president, at 3.30. The course lay over 5 miles of park land round the Earl of Sefton's estate, with plenty of barbed wire fences to be negotiated by the runners and a half mile stretch of plough to slow up the pace. It was clear from the outset that the race would lie between Sefton and Wallasey with the odds slightly in favour of the home-team which had the great advantage of knowing the course. This latter factor was of particular importance as no trail had been laid and runners unfamiliar with the district were therefore at a great disadvantage.
After the first half mile the field was already well strung out with R. Jones (Bangor), the Welsh Universities Champion, N. Marples and J. Edwards (Wallasey), and T. Downs and F. Rodgers (Sefton) making a fairly hot pace. Behind the leaders came a bunch of Sefton and Wallasey runners, neither team holding a decisive advantage. Gradually the five at the front drew away from their rivals and the race for individual honours devolved into a struggle between them. It was
now that the unfairness of not marking out the course became apparent. Edwards and Marples, both running extraordinarily well, kept going ahead but it was impossible for them to make their advantage permanent for at intervals they had to slow down and wait to be directed by a Sefton man. In consequence they did not pull off the victory they well deserved. On the last mile they were still, level with the other three and in the race home they could not quite hold Jones, the Bangor champion, who was successful by about 12 yards. Marples and Edwards deadheated for second position with Downs and Rodgers close behind.
Meanwhile, Sefton Harriers had gained the advantage in the team race. Packing well behind the leaders, they soon had their full team home. Wallasey, weakened by the absence of K. Andrew with W. Davey falling back after a nasty accident on a barbed wire fence, could not total less than 62 points and had to be content with second place in the race. Considering the circumstances, however, this was a very fine performance and after last week's victory over Liverpool Harriers, amply justifies the confidence expressed in the team for the coming season. D. Grisedale, in 9th position, again did very well, and W. Davey, running 11th despite his accident, showed a welcome return to form. Behind Davey, Wallasey had to wait for J. Arkless, 16th, for their next man and the last counting place went to C. Peers who once more ran steadily despite a recurrence of his old leg trouble.
Results:-
SEFTON
4, F. Rodgers; 5, T. Downs; 6. T. Hogan; 7, A. Byrne; 12, J. Robinson; 15, I. Jones. Total - 49 points.
WALLASEY
2, N. Marples; 3, J. Edwards; 9, D. Grisedale; 11, W. Davey; 16, J. Arkless; 21, C. Peers. Total - 62 points. 24, J. Richardson; 28, J. Whittingham; 30, F. Ledward.
BANGOR UNIVERSITY
1, R. Jones; 8, H. Thomas; 14, G. Evans; 18, Lucas; 26, Mearnton; 29, Fisher. Total - 96 points.
BOUNDARY HARRIERS
10, E. Cole; 13, A. Davenport; 20, Martin; 23, White; 25 Edwards; 27, Addlesbury. Total - 118 points.
To-day, Wallasey have a home fixture with North Liverpool Gymnasium Harriers and the race will start from the club's Leasowe Road headquarters at 3.30. With anything like their full team out Wallasey should have no difficulty at all in winning this match and it should provide them with their easiest victory of the season.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 12/11/1938
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