In the Northern Women's League at Blackburn, Wallasey Athletic Club were team winners from Airedale & Spen Valley AC, and Bury and Radcliffe AC, and provided the individual winner, Barbara Banks.
It was Wallasey's first win in the league, and was sparked off by the brilliant running of Barbara Banks always prominent, she had a hard battle with Yorkshire's Jean Lochhead before drawing away to win in 14 mins. 1 sec. about 40 yards up.
Providing excellent support was Margaret Ashcroft maintaining her track form to finish a strong seventh in 14 mins. 59 secs.
Next home for Wallasey was Janice Watts, looking much fitter than at the Farnworth Relays and finishing in 28th place in 16 mins. 59 secs. Completing the Wallasey team was Mary Caldwell, who, stepping at the 11th hour, ran well to finish 33rd in 17 mins. 26 secs.
The win breaks Bury's recent dominance of the Northern ladies' cross-country scene.
Underlining the strength of Wallasey's ladies was the encouraging running of the intermediate team who, with the absence of Sylvia Brimage still took seventh place. An inspired performance came from Gillian King to beat her team colleague Susan Carter, taking 27th place with Susan in 32nd, just ahead of Lindsey Mutch.
In 55th place was Julie Halfpenny, having a good run in her first outing as an intermediate.
The juniors could not fare so well, coming 14th. with Christine Horobin 21st and Gillian Murray in 43rd position, in a field of nearly 100.
In the Sefton Park Road Relays. Wallasey's men's team took sixth place thus improving their position of last year by two places after lying fourth for much of the race.
Bob Brimage now qualified to run as a senior, came in to the 'A' team for Phil Wealthy, still suffering from injury, and Len Durkin came in for Mike Teahan.
John Wright led of for the 'A' team, returning home in sixth place (16 mins. 27 secs.) after the three miles, with Dave Lindsey taking over to pull back two places in 16 mins. 18 secs., nearly 40 secs, faster than his time over the same course last year.
Dave Lockley took over, but could not make up any places, but again improving his time of last year by over half a minute, finishing in 16 mins. 10 secs.
Bob Brimage took over, recording 17 mins. 27 secs., but dropping to sixth place. Mike Whiteside and Len Durkin completed the team, but were unable to make up any ground, recording 17 mins. 48 secs, and 18 mins. 20 secs, respectively, to give the team sixth place.
Sutton Harriers finished winners from Pembroke AC and Wirral AC.
For the 'B' team, Barrie Smith produced the fastest leg, indicating he is ripe to return to the 'A' team, recording 17 mins. 58 secs, and finishing 16th on the first leg.
Doug Hanna maintained the position in 18 mins. 43 secs. Mike Teahan regained two places, returning home in 13th place in 18 mins. 16 secs.
Dave Hughes, returning after illness, ran the fourth leg in 18 mins. 14 secs., while John Lynch recorded 19 mins. 48 secs., and Robin Tarrant 19 mins. 48 secs, to complete the team.
Today there is no fixture, but a "Treasure Hunt" has been organised by Wallasey Athletic Club Supporters Association, for which the seniors will have to complete an 11-mile course, and the juniors 6 miles, this will be followed by a social evening in the clubhouse.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 31/10/1970
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