Members of Wallasey A.C. were engaged last Saturday in athletic meetings all over the country when several successes were achieved.
As usual Len Platt was the most successful, taking two firsts and a third in the Civil Service championships in London. He won the long jump with 22 feet 2 inches, the hop, step & jump with 44 feet 11 inches, and was third in the high jump with 5 feet 8 inches.
He has been chosen as a reserve for the coming international match between Great Britain and France at the White City.
Margaret Collings and Bryan Bird were also in the London area representing Cheshire in the inter-schools championships at Uxbridge. Although well below form Margaret was placed third in the senior long jump while Bryan Bird continued to show great promise in the 100 yards. After getting through to the semi-final heats he was unfortunate to be in the hottest heat of the event when he was placed third and did not qualify for the final. This was another example of the luck of the draw, as only inches separated the first three who were all timed at 10.7 seconds, while the other semi-final heats were won in 10.8 and 10.9 seconds.
Wallasey athletes also did very well at the St. Helens Police Sports, when Carl Gee attained his first open meeting success by winning the shot.
The javelin was won by Geoff Moores, with clubmate Ray Owen in second place, while Moores was also second in the high jump. What a pity that this lad competes so infrequently, as he is a born athlete with a great potential.
To round off the day Matt Smith was third in the 120 yards hurdles, and Reg Lancaster was most unlucky in hitting the last hurdle in the 440 yards event when he held a clear lead.
Many other Wallasey A.C. members represented Wallasey in the inter-town athletics match at Fazackerley, when both the boys and girls were placed third out of eight teams which would probably have been better again but for the absence of Bird and Margaret Collings at Uxbridge.
The outstanding Wallasey success was that of Don Anderson in winning both the half and the mile, while E. Hawkins' 19 feet 9 inches in the long jump (15-16), K. Retallack's 147 feet 2 inches in the javelin (15-16), and D. Perry's 39 feet 9 inches in the shot (15-16) were all very fine performances which won them first place in these events.
Another fine effort was that of Roy Shaw in running second in a fast run mile in the 15-16 group, while a personal best for this season was achieved by John McGill in the long jump (17-20) with a leap of 19 feet 4 inches which earned him third place.
First places were also gained by Miss G. Holt in the high jump (17-20) with 4 feet 6 inches, and by Miss J. Trafford in the javelin (15-16) with 73 feet. Thelma Lloyd succeeded in getting to the final of the 100 yards and also ran very well in the girls' relay, in which the Wallasey girls were placed third.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 25/07/1953 by R.M.
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