Congratulations to Makerfield Harriers on winning, in very good style, the West Lancashire novice race on Saturday last.
This is a club which has produced some very fine novices in the past, but, in company with so many other clubs in the area, they have suffered very seriously in recent years through the effects of prolonged unemployment upon their members, so that there will be general satisfaction expressed if this success marks the opening of a new era for them. Not only did they win the team honours, but they placed the first man home, as they did in 1928, the last occasion upon which novice honours came to them.
The winner was P. Keogan, who was in the youth's category up to March of this year, and was not expected by the Makerfield people to be amongst their "counters" on this occasion. The other three scorers in the Makerfield team, Rowley (3rd); Peers (6th); and Tootal (7th) had never donned a running pump prior to September of this year, and when it is remembered that they also claimed the tenth position in the race (Smith), it will be realised that they have been particularly successful in unearthing completely new talent. Still more interesting is it to record that some of these runners were discovered through a series of novice races the club have promoted this season, and here there is surely a lesson that all other clubs may take to heart.
MERSEYSIDE NOVICES
Thanks to the valuable data compiled by Mr. R. W. Roberts, and included on the back of the programme, a review of post-war performances in the West Lancashire novice race is possible; the outstanding feature being the small amount of success that has come to Merseyside clubs. For instance we find that, in all that long period, the race has only been won three times by such clubs, and two of those were in the last three years. Individual honours have only been won by Merseyside representatives on six occasions out of sixteen. There is again food for reflection in these simple facts.
By a reference to this same data we find that the low score registered by Makerfield Harriers last Saturday (17 points) marked a record for the post-war years. Rivalry between the Lancaster clubs was evident on Saturday, for Lancaster Harriers and Lancaster Freehold were second and third respectively, and their scores were 50 and 71. Next came Wallasey with 87 points. The first Merseyside man was Richardson, of Wallasey, and he was placed fifth. As previously announced, Sutton Harriers are presenting to the association the first set of medals, and Liverpool Pembroke have now generously come forward and offered to bear the expense of the second and third sets. This, apparently, is to be an inexpensive season for the West Lancashire organisation. Here are a few details of the final figures to complete the story:-
Individuals:
Keegan (Makerfield), 31 mins. 7secs; Broderick (Royal Engineers), 31, 12, Rowley (Makerfield H.), 31, 14; Nixon (Lancaster Primrose), 31, 17; Richardson (Wallasey), 31, 25; Peers (Makerfield H.), 31, 55.
Teams; Makerfield H. (17 points ), Keogan 1, Rowley 3, Peers 6; total 17. Lancaster H. (50 points); Edmondson 9. Coultas 11, Brown 13, Woods 17. Lancaster Freehold (71 points) Peel 8, Wilkinson 19, Rostron 20, Holmes 24.
Ends
Source - Formby Times - Saturday, 07/12/1935 by Marksman
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