The Novice Championship of Wallasey Athletic Club was decided last Saturday, 13 runners facing the starter, Mr. W. S. Brookes, on a day which was ideal for cross-country running.
Edwards laid the trail over a 5½ miles course consisting mainly of grassland. The race promised to be the most interesting Novice Championship Wallasey has ever staged as of the 13 runners, some half-dozen were anticipating carrying off premier honours! Page Watson was out again after his leg trouble and all knew that if he could find his form of the early season he would have a splendid chance of victory.
The start was a slow one with every runner afraid to go out and make the pace, and even after two miles they were well, bunched together and anyone could have been the winner. However, at the Sheep Bridge over the railway, which is about halfway, D. Grisdale made a spurt which opened up a considerable gap between the rest of the runners and himself. Fishwick running strongly obtained 2nd position, with R. J. Broster third, and J. Williams fourth.
This order was maintained for the mile stretch to Lamb's Farm, but along Reeds Lane, Broster passed Fishwick and settled down in an effort to catch Grisdale and although the latter's lead was reduced a little he finished an easy winner. Grisdale is a young runner who has made great improvement since joining the Club at the beginning of the season and his victory was thoroughly well-deserved. R. J. Broster was second, running very smoothly - his style seems to have improved and he should do well in the future. Third came John Williams who passed Fishwick in the last half mile; he ran steadily throughout, although the distance appeared to be too short for him. The first three all finished perfectly fresh without any appearance of tiredness. Fishwick, who was one of the three youngest in the race, gained admiration for a fine effort over a course which he found rather tiring but in fairness it must be stated that he had only run over the country twice previously. Fifth was A. Pritchard, another very young runner, who ran surprisingly well and by his effort won the sealed handicap prize. Page Watson preferred to take the race easily , finishing sixth and J. A. Richardson, after leading for the first mile, fell back and unaccountably failed to produce the running which he is capable of, finishing 7th, a yard in front of Ken Pearce, the third youth, who registered a big improvement on last year's corresponding performance. The rest all finished the course but failed, through inexperience, to give a true record of their running capabilities.
Full results : Time.
mins. secs.
1 D. Grisdale 36 30
2 R. J. Broster 37 10
3 John Williams 37 15
4 R. Fishwick 37 35
5 A. J. Pritchard 38 5
6 P. Watson 39 00
7 J. A. Richardson 39 35
8 K. G. Pearce 39 36
9 J. Whittingham 40 10
10 J. M. Rimmer 40 12
11 K. Barker 41 00
12 J. Kelly 43 40
13 G. H. Bowman 43 40
To-day, Wallasey A.C. go to West Derby to run to run a four sided contest, the other teams being Liverpool University, N. Liverpool Gym and Sefton. Meet Landing Stage 2-20 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 27/11/1937
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