There was a sharp contrast in conditions between the Merseyside Schools Championships in Crosby and the Northern Championships in Morpeth the previous weekend.
Instead a frozen, snow-covered ground and freezing conditions there was thick mud and bright, sunshine. The 1½ mile lap stretched around the ploughed fields adjoining the playing fields of the Manor High School in Crosby. It was flat land which had had more than its share, of the previous night's heavy rainfall. Some Wallasey Schools had runners qualifying in the Wirral Schools' matches to compete for the Wirral team, most of these belonging to Wallasey Athletic Club. Three runners in the first race, for junior girls, had to enter themselves in the qualifying round and ran well to finish 26th, 35th and 79th.
As in most school races there were no official times taken so all times are 'unofficial' and were recorded by me.
Joanne Macdonald finished the first of the three in 11 mins 50 secs, Carole Jenkinson next in 11 mins 58 secs and Janet Atherton third in 12 mins 40 secs.
Nick Robinson and Russell Griffin had a hard time in the junior boys' race through wearing 'flats,' as opposed to spikes or 'nipples', which just skidded about in the mud. Nick finished 70th in 19 mins 09 secs and Russ 80th in 19 mins 23 secs.
The next race of interest to the club was the intermediate boys' race. It was won by Mike Tunstall, a previous member of Wallasey who now runs for Wirral A.C., after a hard and well-fought battle with Chris Wright, of Wallasey. Mike's time for the 4 mile race was 21 mins 7 secs and Chris's 21 mins 16 secs. Also running in this race was Kevin McGee, who finished 16th in 22 mins 36 secs and Dave Southern, who had a disastrous run and only managed 40th in 23 mins 44 secs.
The development of tonsillitis meant that Ricky Hemmings couldn't compete in the race after being selected. A double dis-appointment really because he would almost certainly have been in the early counters who were invited to compete for Merseyside in the English Schools' races.
Rod Dixon completed the bill for Wallasey and ran in the senior boys' races; he finished 14th in 28 mins 48 sees.
Would committee members please note the change of date and venue for the next meeting. It will now be on February 27th at Ramsey's. Please do your best to attend this meeting as it is the last one before the annual meeting.
The athletic club were challenged to a basketball match by our counterparts in Wirral a few days ago. Being an obliging club we accepted and won both the junior and senior matches. The play wasn't exactly to the required rules but an enjoyable evenlng was had by all.
A last warning to all members who haven't paid their 1976 subscriptions, do so before February 27th or your membership will cease unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The track and field season is fast approaching and all athletes interested in getting the best from it should start training now. Most of the championships are before the opening of the Olympic games on July 17th so there is no time to waste.
Any budding stars, from 11 years upwards, will be made most welcome at the club and should ring Doug Hanna 632 0296 for details.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Friday, 13/02/1976 by D.H.
Ref 1900