This year there was a record number of competitors in the Wallasey Schools' Cross-Country Championships, organised by Wallasey Athletic Club last Saturday. As is the trend, the youngest boys were the most numerous.
The two and a half mile Youths race proved the value of Wallasey Athletic Club, for the first 11 in the race were all members of the club.
First home was Dave Lockley, for Wallasey A.C., in a time of 13 mins. 25 secs. Dave deserves great credit for this, as he was running with a leg injury.
Johnny Jones, running for Wallasey Grammar School, was second only 8 secs, behind the winner, and Steve Walker was third for W.G.S. in 14.03.
Then came Mel Schless (4th), O.G.S., 14.13: Mike Weatherilt (5th). W.G.S. 14.35; Phil Wealthy (6th). W.G.S.. 14.55; John Horobin (7th). W.G.S.. 15.01; Bob McCaig (8th), W.G.S.. 15.16; Jan Wilson (9th), O.G.S., 15.21; Nick Bowen (10th), W.G.S.. 15.29, and Pete Lewis (11th), O.G.S., 15.31.
There were 18 finishers, but the race was not a team event, as not all boys under 18 are still at school.
REAL COUNTRY
On Saturday it had rained all morning and most of the afternoon, with the result that Bidston marshes were extremely wet and muddy. It was especially treacherous for those novices not wearing cross-country shoes or spikes.
This was probably the reason why P. J. Robertson of Oldershaw High School was the only girl to finish in the girls' race. The first of the other two slipped and hurt her leg, and the last competitors stopped to help friend back.
This was only the second year that girls have had a race to themselves, but there were about 20 entrants.
85 JUNIORS
The Junior Boys' race for first and second years was won by R. Winstanley of Moreton Secondary School, who covered the 1½ miles in 10 min. 07 secs.
He was followed by:-2, Parry (GJ. 10 min. 24.5 secs.; 3. Kehoe (G). 10.24; 4, Transfield (St. G.) 10.25; 5, Haley (St. B), 10.27; 6, Deakin (St. G.). 10.35; 7, Martin (W.G.S.), 10.35; 8, Anson (T.G.S.), 10.38; 9, Dakin (St. G.), 10.39; 10, Fawkes (O.G.S.), 10.40.
Team Result:- 1, St. George's Co. Secondary School (St. G) 4, 6, 9, 11, 30 pts.; 2, Gorsedale Secondary School (G.), 2, 3, 21, 26, 52 pts.; 3, Moreton Secondary School, 1, 16, 18, 19, 54 pts., 4 Oldershaw Grammar School (O.G.S.), 10, 13, 17, 22, 62 pts.; 5, Technical Grammar School (T.G.S.), 8, 14, 12, 29, 63 pts.; 6, Oldershaw G.S. (B team), 24, 25, 33, 34, 115 pts.; 7, Wallasey Grammar School (W.G.S.), 7, 23, 37, 51, 118 pts.; 8, St. George s Co. Sec. Sch. (B team), 20, 31, 32, 41, 124 pts.; 9, St. Bede's R.C. School (St. B.), 5, 45, 50, 57, 157 pts.; 10, Gorsedale Sec. Sch. (B team), 28, 30, 42, 59, 159 pts.; 11, Technical G.S. (B team), 35, 36, 40, 58, 159 pts.; 12, Gorsedale Sec. Sch. (C team), 64, 66, 68, 69, 267 pts.
Withensfield Secondary School had only two runners and could not therefore complete a team.
SENIOR BOYS
The Senior Boys' race for third and fourth years was won by Reiners of Wallasey Grammar School in 9.56, with his team mate Butler only 2 secs, behind him.
Other places and times for the 1¾ mile event were:-3, Atkins (G.), 10.08; 4, Henry (St. G.), 10.21; 5, Davies (T.G.S.), 10.26; 6, Dann (St. G.), 10.35; 7, Brimage (T.G.S.), 10.40; 8, Cooper (G.), 10.40; 9, Hughes (T.G.S.), 10.43; 10, Hewson (G.), 10.44.
Team Result: - 1, Wallasey Technical Grammar School, 5, 7, 9, 11, 32 pts.; 2, Wallasey Grammar School, 1, 2, 13, 23, 39 pts.; 3, St. George's Co. Secondary School, 4, 6, 16, 19, 45 pts.; 4, Gorsedale Secondary School, 3, 18, 10, 43, 64 pts.; 5, Technical G.S, (B team), 12, 15, 18, 20, 65 pts.; 6, Moreton Secondary, 21, 22, 24, 27, 94 pts.; 7, Oldershaw , Grammar School, 20, 30, 36, 39, 130 pts.; 8, Oldershaw Grammar School 188 pts.; 9, Gorsedale Secondary School (B team), 45, 48, 51, 52, I 196 pts.; 10, Gorsedale Sec. Sch. (C team), 53, 54, 57, 58, 222 pts.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 19/11/1966 by CARLISLE
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