Once again Wallasey Athletic Club were unable to field their star trio of Barlow, Wright and Woolford when they travelled last Saturday to Keswick to defend the trophy won last year in the 10 miles circuit of Lake Derwentwater.
However, with Kevin Mather taking over the role of third scorer the Wallasey team put up a most spirited performance. Finishing, Ron Barlow 2nd, Brian Woodford 6th and Mather 18th they were placed third of 25 teams, only seven points behind the winners, Bolton United Harriers, and losing second place to Barrow A.C. after tying with 26 points only by the application of the rule which gives the decision in such cases to the team whose third scoring runner is first home.
Conditions were perfect when the field of 150 runners were sent on their way and despite some confusion when the leaders were misdirected in Keswick's crowded shopping centre the race soon developed into a great tussle between A. A.A. 6 mile champion Ron Hill and Wallasey's Ron Barlow, who moved away from the other leading runners at about 5 miles just before reaching a typically severe lakeland gradient which usually plays a great part in settling the winner of this race.
So it was on this occasion as, although both athletes took the ascent in great style, it was Hill who first reached the top and from there to the finish he pulled slowly but steadily ahead to eventually finish 150 yards ahead of Barlow in a time of 49 minutes 48 seconds, compared with Barlow's 50 minutes 10 seconds.
Woolford was not far behind and he eventually finished in 6th position with a time of 50 minutes 55 seconds, with Mather putting in a great run over the last 1½ miles during which he gained over a dozen places to finish 18th in a time of 52 minutes 42 seconds. Completing the Wallasey finishers was young David Field, who can be well satisfied with his 96th position in his first Senior race over such a long and severe course.
The form of Wallasey A.C's distance runners this year is most encouraging and if their top four o
Barlow, Wright, Woolford, Mather are well supported by Chalton, Parry and Young in this season's cross-country champion they will take a lot of beating.
Today sees a rest from competition with a club run from headquarters.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 02/11/1963 by R.M.C.
Ref 2267