There was only a fair company at the Wirral Show Grounds, Bebington, on Saturday, when the annual championships in connection with the Liverpool & District Cross-Country Union were decided.
The novice race, over a seven-mile course, was taken first. and A. Olley, who is much better known as a cyclist, a member of the Knotty Ash Harriers, won easily, although his club only finished third. This in itself was rather a feature, for the club has only been in existence a season, and the capital running of the members would show the enthusiasm which does much to command success. The winning team was Liverpool Boundary Harriers with 44 points.
ln the senior race, Wallasey, packing their men in fine style, finished six in the first seven. Sep Francom (Wirral) ran up to expectations, and was always in front to eventually win very easily. Details:
SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
1, Sep Francom, Wirral AC 'A' team Time 54min. 9sec.; 2, R. Young, Wallasey H. and A.C. (55min. 3sec.); 3, C. T. Hewson, Wallasey H. and A.C. (55min. 5sec.); 4, E. Plant, Wallasey H. and A.C. (56min. 7sec.); 5, P. Scott, Wallasey H. and A.C. (56min. 8sec.); 6, M. M. Terry, Wallasey H. and A.C. (56min. 10sec.); 7, A. McMaster, Wallasey H. and A.C. (56min. 13sec.); 8, M. M'Caughey, North Liverpool Gymnasium. (56min. 14sec.); 9, A. G. Scoins, Wallasey H. and A.C. (56min. 16sec.); 10, T. H. Langley, Wirral A.C. ('A') (56min. 56sec.); 11, H. Davies, Wirral A.C. ('A') (57min.); 12, W. Sablick, Liverpool Pembroke (57min. 5sec.);
Team Placings - 1, Wallasey A.C. (27); 2, Wirral A.C. (67); 3, Liverpool Pembroke (144); 4, West Cheshire A.C. (146)
Only the above finished teams.
Francom at once drew to the front, followed by Hewson and Young, the latter took second place a couple of miles from home, but failed to get near to Francom, who won by 400 yards. Wallasey ran capitally, and finished six men out of the first seven.
R. McCaughey (North Liverpool Gym.) took first medal for being first of an unplaced club, and H. H. Herbert (Liverpool Boundary) was second.
NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP
1, A. Olley, Knotty Ash H. and A.C.; 2, R. Thompson, Liverpool Boundary H.;
3, A. Cottrrell, Wirral A.C.; 4, R. Kess, Knotty Ash H. and A.C.; 5, P. Smith, Liverpool Boundary H.; 6, A. Middleton, Liverpool Boundary H.; 7, G. Murphey, Liverpool Boundary H.; 8, S. Edgar, Wallasey H. and A.C.; 9, N. H. McDonnell, Knotty Ash H. and A.C.; 10, M. Jones, Wirral A.C.; 11, G. Garner, Liverpool H.; 12, M. Burns, Sefton Harriers;
Team Placings: 1. Boundary (64); 2. Wirral A.C. (92); 3, Knotty Ash (100); 4, Wallasey (154); 5, Liverpool Gymnasium (190).
Olley and Thompson made joint running for a lap, when Olley drew away and won easily by about 300 yards. Time. 45min. 49sec. S. Edgar (Wallasey A.C.) was first home for an unplaced club, and M. Burns (Sefton) second.
Ends
Source - Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury - Monday, 23/03/1914
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