Last Saturday Wallasey's younger athletes had a very rewarding day at a Young Athletes meeting at Sale.
Making his debut, six-year-old Ian Johnson, kindly shared his lane with another (but bigger) competitor to finish sixth in the 60 metres then he won a prize for second in the 20 metre sprint.
Also for the first time, Alison Hargreaves, smiling throughout, finished well in sixth place.
In the boys' 100 metres, Neil Cross sprinted well to a fine victory.
Wallasey's girls ran well in the 800 metres, Kerry Eaton led strongly for most of the two laps until she was taken by surprise by the others, but finished well up in fourth place. Her team-mate Jane McCoy put on a spurt at the end to take second place in a personal best of 2:41.9.
Paul Backhouse had a full and rewarding day in one of his better 800 metres, a close third, striding to second in the 200 metres and stylishly jumping to third in the long jump.
Two newcomers, Dave Bills and Philip Slack both showed potential and came first and sixth respectively in separate heats of the 200 metres. Also running was Paul Johnson, who did well to finish fifth and sixth in the 200 metres and 100 metres despite his taller opposition!
Mark Yates had a fantastic run to reduce his 800 metre time by about 14 seconds this was clearly the highlight of his day.
In the girls 1500 metres, Joanne Johnson, taking a rest from 800 metres, had a disappointing run but made up for it by running an excellent first leg of the 4 x 100 metres relay.
Probably the most exciting race of the day for Wallasey came near the end when Michael King, in the 1500 metres, courageously took the lead and led the pack in a fast pace, fighting all the way, and in a battle at the finish, he was second in an excellent time of 5:06 minutes.
Another exciting finish came in the boys under 13's 4 x 100 metres relay when Wallasey and Stretford finished in a dead-heat but the boys were recorded as second.
Thanks to all Wallasey supporters, athletes and their drivers.
Results
60 metres - Under - 9 girls: Alison Hargreaves, 6th 13.26 secs: Under - 9 boys: Ian Johnson, 6th 13.57 secs.
100 metres - Under - 13 girls: Liesel Philips, 3rd 14.7 secs; Jane McCoy, 4th 15.5 secs.
100 metres - Under - 11 boys: Neil Cross, 1st 16.15 sec; Paul Johnson, 6th 16.87. Under -13 boys: Dave Ellis, 4th 14.4 secs; Mark Yates, 6th 15.9 secs; Robert Hyde, 5th 16.6 secs; Michael King, 2nd 15.2 secs.
110 metres - Under - 9 girls: Alison Hargreaves, 6th 24.8 secs.
600 metres - Under - 9 boys: Ian Johnson 2:44.9 mins
800 metres - Under - 13 boys: Paul Backhouse, 3rd 2:34 mins; Mark Yates, 5th 2:36 mins (pb); Philip Slack, 2:56: Under -11 Boys: Neil Cross, 9th 2:54 mins; Under -13 girls: Jane McCoy, 2nd 2:41.9 mins (pb); Kerry Eaton, 4th 2:42.7 mins.
200 metres - Under - 9 boys: Paul Johnson, 5th 36.02 secs; Neil Cross, 6th 34.4 secs; Under -13 girls: Liesel Philips, 3rd 31.5 secs; Joanne Johnson, 3rd 32.4; Kerry Eaton, 3rd 33.1 secs;Under -13 boys Dave Ellis, 1st; Philip Slack, 6th 35.6; Paul Backhouse 1st.
1500 metres - Under -13 boys: Michael King, 2nd 5:06.7 mins; Under -13 girls: Joanne Johnson, 13th 5:54 mins.
Long jump - Under - 13 girls: Jane McCoy, 7th 3.75m; Liesel Philips, 11th 3.54 metres; Joanne Johnson, 12th 3.50 metres; Under - 13 boys; Michael King, 3.93 metres; Paul Backhouse, 3rd 4.11 metres; Robert Hyde, 3.55 metres.
Under - 13 boys 4x100 metres - 2nd (M. King, P. Backhouse, M. Yates, D. Ellis)
Under - 13 girls 4x100 metres - 4th (J. Johnson, L. Philips, J. McCoy, K. Eaton)
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 28/05/1983 by L. Kennedy
Ref 1976