On Saturday a contingent of Wallasey athletes travelled to Crewe to take part in the annual men's Cheshire track and field championships.
The day was bright and sunny but the high humidity placed a heavy burden on all the athletes.
The programme of events got off with a flying start when it was announced that the Senior Men's 800 metres was to be run as a straight final.
Pete Jones had elected to run in this event. He commanded the race for well over 500 metres but a slight slip in concentration let him fall back. He quickly realised what had happened and over the remaining 200 metres he picked himself up for a very strong, fast finish, which took him past the finishing line in fifth place. Pete also qualified for the four hundred metres final in which he finished fourth.
The boys' and youths' championships were divided into heats. Dave Neil and Tim Carr raced in the boys 800 in separate heats finishing tenth and eighth respectively.
Three athletes took part in the youth 800, all of them in heat one. Pete Doyle ran a controlled race to finish second to secure himself of a place in the final. The two other runners Mike Hughes and Rob Peckham fought a battle between themselves in the race. At the line Mike just managed to beat Rob.
Although they did not make the final they should be well pleased with themselves for Rob knocked over 10 seconds off his per-sonal best and that was without the vital winter work which he missed through a knee injury. For Mike it was, the first time he had ever competed in a track race. Mike also raced in the 1500 metres.
After a recovery period of 90 minutes had passed the final of the youths' 800 metres was staged. Pete Doyle settled into the race, going through the first lap in 60 seconds which eventually led him to a bronze medal.
Neil Henfry was Wallasey's hope in the boys' 200m. In his heat Neal finished a very close second which led to fifth place in the final.
This weekend, the men's senior team will turn out for the men's Northern League at Carlisle.
RESULTS
Senior Men
800 metres: 5th. Peter Jones, 1 min. 59.4 secs.
400 metres final: 4th Peter Jones. 52.1 secs.
Youths
800 metres heats: 8th, Mike Hughes, 2 mins 17.7 secs; 9th, Rob Peckham, 2 mins. 17.9 secs; 2nd, Peter Doyle, 2 mins, 6 secs.
800 metres final: 3rd Peter Doyle, 2 mins, 4.3 secs.
1500 metres: 11th, M. Hughes, 4 mins 56.6 secs.
Boys
800 metres heats: 10th Dave Neil, 2 mins. 37.3 secs. 8th, Tim Carr, 2 mins 46.6 secs.
200 metres final: 5th, Neil Henfry, 27.7 secs.
100 metres heats: 7th, Alan Peckham, 14.5 secs.
High jump: 6th, Alan Peckham, 1 metre, 35.
Junior Men
800 metres final: 8th, Mike Perry, 2 mins 17.8 secs.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 22/05/1982
Ref 1954