The Liverpool & District Cross-country Association refuse to die. Other associations in a similar position bare quietly decided to pass out of existence since the new scheme of decentralisation came in force, but Liverpool, full of vigour to the last, decide to live and carry out their annual events.
On Saturday last they decided their twentieth annual series of races, and I do not think any of the earlier races could possibly hare been more successful.
The Junior race is styled the "Novice Championship." In the past some fine competition has been witnessed in this event, but I think none so keen and determined as on Saturday. Wallasey AC, have made a few efforts to gain the honour. On one occasion, at least, they have run very closely. On Saturday they set out with that kind of determination which was bound to succeed.
WITH THE JUNIORS.
With ten clubs entered, each being allowed a dozen men, six of whom counted, there were interesting possibilities. At the outset there were incidents. W. Wharton, St. Austin's H. and A.C., being anxious, like the rest of his opponents, to be in the forefront, collided with another runner, and both fell. Only after a heated argument, did he proceed; when he did so the field of runners had gained almost a quarter of a mile start. That incident spoiled Wharton of a likely chance of winning, for, by a fine exposition of athletic ability, be finished in the tenth position.
The winner, A. Gregson, of Runcorn Holy Trinity H., took the lead at the start. He was never headed. Running with confidence and no small amount of ability, such as he showed in the West Lancashire Championship and the Northern Junior races, he won. The distance of the race was about six miles. A clubmate, A. T. Preece, was always second to Gregson; the pity was there was no measure of support from the other club members.
The course, starting from the show grounds at Bebington, was easy, and the full circuit was roughly a mile and a quarter. Much of it was grass-land; and one-third of it was light plough-land. The features of the Junior race was the forward running of Gregson and the good packing of Wallasey. The success of both was never in doubT. Gregson went out with a fine lead, and whatever changes took place in those following it was always to be observed that the Wallasey team were together. They merited their well-fought victory. A. T. Preece won the medal for the first unplaced man.
NOVICES' CHAMPIONSHIP.
Individual Placings - T. Gregson, Runcorn Holy Trinity H., 1; A. T. Preece, Runcorn Holy Trinity H-. 2; R. Young, Wallasey A.C., 3; T. J. Brookes. Wallasey A.C., 4; D. Black. Richmond H., 5; P. Scott, Wallasey A.C., 6; E. Plant. Wallasey AC., 7; E. S. Bale. Wallasey A.C., 8; C. H. Spence. Wallasey A.C.. 9: W. Wharton. St. Austin's H. and A.C., 10; J. Illingham, St. Helens Parish Church H., 11; R. Scoins, Wallasey A.C., 12.
The winner's time was 38min.11sec.
Junior Team Placings. - Wallasey A.C., 37 points: Richmond H., 112 points; St. Helens Parish Church H. 139 points; Runcorn Holy Trinity H., 140 points; Liverpool Oddfellows, 203 points; Rylands Workmen's R.C., 238 points; St. Austin's H. and AC, did not finish a team.
WARRINGTON WIN THE CUP.
The Senior race was full of incident. Sutton H. and A.C., the holders of the Rudge- Whitworth trophy - they had two shares in it - were a weaker force than a year ago. In the meantime Warrington A.C H. had come along at a rapid rate, and I believe during the past season had defeated Sutton five times. In face of those defeats there not much hope for Sutton.
Warrington, full of confidence, entered the fray with a determination to take no risks. It was well they did so for Sutton were out with a sporting spirit to take every advantage and no risk. They gave a fine display, thanks to S. Welding's fine running, but they had to bow before the superiority of one of the best teams we have had in Lancashire.
C. Vose, the Northern champion, went away at the start, closely followed by his clubmate, H. Holbrook; the latter stuck the hot pace set by Vose for about two miles, and then fell behind. At about half-way S. Welding came along with a fine turn of speed and challenged Vose. The latter was always equal to the occasion, however, and although at one time it looked as though the distance separating the two would be lessened, Vose held his own to the end.
He ran a great race. He has a pretty style, at all times running with ease, and taking as little as possible out of himself by an undue display of body or arm set action.
The Warrington team know the value of packing; they have obviously studied the art. Vose won by about 100 yards.
SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Individual Placings.-C. Vose, Warrington A.C.H., 1; S. Welding, Sutton H. and A.C.. 2; W. H. Begg, Sutton H and A.C. 3; H. Holbrook. Warrington A.C.H., 4; F. Antrobus. Warrington A.C.H., 5: H. Antrobus, Warrington A.C H., 6; W. Bolton, Warrington A.C.H., 7; S. Francom. Sefton H. 8; A. G. Roberts, West Cheshire H., 9; W. K. Jepson. Warrington A C.H. 10; E. Harrison, Sutton H and A.C., 11; T. Melia. St. Helens Sacred Heart, 12; T. F. Turton. Warrington A.C.H., 13; H. H. Herbert, Liverpool Boundary H., 14: A. E Walker, West Cheshire H., 15; A. Wilcock. Warrington A.C.H., 16; C. J. Straw. Sutton H. and A C. 17; J. Roberts, Sefton H., 18; C. Holland, St. Helens Sacred Heart, 19; R. M'Caughey, North Liverpool Gymnasium H.. 20.
The winner's time was 52min., Welding being 15sec. behind and Begg 43sec.
Senior Team Placings. - Warrington A C. (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10). 33 points; Sefton, 77 points; West Cheshire, 143; St. Helens Sacred Heart, 182: North Liverpool Gymnasium, 249; Ravenhead H. 257; Liverpool Boundary, 284; Liverpool H. 347; Liverpool Gymnasium, 427. Sefton H. and Runcorn Tally-ho did not finish full teams.
S. Francom, Sefton, gained the medal for the first man in an unplaced team. T Melia, St. Helens Sacred Heart, took the second medal.
Ends
Source - Athletic News - Monday, 20/03/1911 by Outpost
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