Never, I think, has the championship of Wallasey Harriers been so open as was the case last Saturday.
Generally it has been a pretty sure thing for one man; occasionally there have been two, but this year there were at least half-a-dozen likely winners. The absence of the holder, Plant, was a disappointment, as he would have undoubtedly taken a lot of beating. Shortly after 3-30 the pack, numbering 14, was dispatched over the eight-mile course. At the start the lead was taken by R. Young, and it was evident that he intended making a bold bid for first place. At Bidston he was still leading, with Howson close on his heels, and Scott and Terry a few yards behind. From this point the race was a great one, the leaders drawing right away from the rest of the field. Shortly before reaching Upton; Howson retired suffering from "stitch," as did also Brookes. At Upton, Scott had taken to the lead, Terry was second, and Young third, the next two to pass being McMaster and Scoins. At Moreton the order was still the same, and so keen was the race that a handkerchief would have covered the three. A mile and a half from home Scott endeavoured to get away, and gained a useful lead of about 20 yards. The effort, however, obviously weakened him, and in School-lane he was overhauled by Young, and though Scott made an effort at the finish he failed to catch the leader. This makes the fourth time Young has won the championship, and I think Saturday's was the finest race he has yet put up. It was one of the best exhibitions of pluck and judgement I have ever seen. Terry, who finished third, was a surprise to many. To my mind he was the freshest of the field and given the experience of the others I think he would have won. This is practically his first season at the game: he has improved consistently right through the winter, and has undoubtedly a future before him. The event right through was series of struggles, McMaster and Scoins, who finished fourth and fifth, fighting it out all the way, Scoins only just being beaten. Hughes and Edgar had a fierce tussle, Hughes winning by about 15 yards. The sealed handicap was by McMaster with a start of 1.30. The official times were:
1, R. Young, 48m. 45s. 2, Peter Scott, 48m. ??s; 3, H. M. Terry, 48.57; 4, A. McMaster, 50.??; 5, A. G. Scoins, 50.14; 6, T. Hughes, 53.??; 7, S. G. Edgar, 52.43; 8. J. S. Parry, 53.49; 9, S. Collins, 58.14; 10, A. V. Hunt, 59.23.
The Liverpool & District comes off a day week at Bebington Show Grounds. The race in both the senior and junior events will be worth going far to see. Wallasey H. & A.C. will be represented in both.
Ends
Source - Birkenhead News - Saturday, 14/03/1914 by Agility
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