Leigh Harriers, after their great win in the East Lancashire Junior Championship, were fully expecting to complete a double event by winning the Northern at Haydock Park on Saturday, but the Fates decreed otherwise.
Had the original team started fit and well all might have rejoiced, but some of the lads could not start owing mainly to influenza, so it was said, but it was rumoured that at least two reserves on the last occasion did not turn up on Saturday, because they preferred to liken themselves to camels; in other words, they had taken the "hump." A large following went from Leigh, and whilst it was expected that there would be a weak tail, yet what should have been a wagging extremity turned out better than some of the club's cracks. The captain, J. Dickenson, was forced to retire during the race in consequence cold and lack of condition. This was also the case in regard to T. Hurst's performance, and when the latter retired one the novices did likewise. They will live to fight - or rather run another day, and the experience of Saturday will do the younger end the team a deal of good, but some of the older runners should now be beyond quitting at critical stages of club races. The Leigh runners to finish the race were A. Farrimond, W. Rawlinson, E. Gaffey, J. Simms, A. Knowles and H. Hindley. Their points and placings are given below. A more delightful day and more satisfactory course could not have been desired. A bright sonny afternoon, sharp, clear atmosphere, and grass land with a spring in it like velvet pile carpet, were the elements that cheered the heart of the most despondent athlete present. There were 24 teams and six individuals entitled to participate in the junior race. The expense attached to the journey is the obvious reason why six teams failed to appear. Leeds East Ward, Wibsey Park, Gateshead, Spennymoor, Blaydon, and Darlington were the absentees. The four latter are all North-Eastern clubs. The starters numbered 178, a huge contingent that reminded one of the days before the divisional deleting champions.
The distance of the race was seven miles. After reaching the grand stand, almost half-a-mile from the start, the runners were still bunched G. Dickinson (Sheffield U.), C. J. Howson (Wallasey), R. H. Eyes (Northwich) and J. Leach (Heaton) were in the van. After going a little over three miles the separating process had commenced and F. Bakewell (Hallamshire), H. Schofield (Wakefield), J. E. Tolliday (North Manchester) and J. Hogan (Radcliffe) led from A. Farrimond, R. Murgatroyd and F. Walker. This quartette had a useful lead, and were all going nicely. At the same time is was noticed that Hallamshire were making a supreme effort to gain team honours, having six men in the first 18. There appeared to be nothing in the appearance of the four men to indicate who was fresher.
They went into the country for the last time, and when the last mile remained to be traversed the positions were unaltered. Eventually it became a battle between Hogan and Tolliday, and, game though the latter ran, he failed to hold the East Lancashire champion when it came to the final sprint. Hogan won a cleverly judged race, and a deserved win.
Ends
Source - Leigh Chronicle & Weekly District Advertiser - Friday, 27/02/1914
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