Wallasey A.C opened their inter-club engagements last Saturday with a visit to Knotty Ash, the headquarters of the Liverpool Harriers. Additional opposition was provided by teams of the North Liverpool Gym. and Waterloo Harriers thus making an interesting four-cornered contest.
The multi-coloured costumes of the 50 or so runners facing the starter presented a fine spectacle, the scarlet and blue colours of the Wallasey, contingent of twelve being especially conspicuous.
A consultation between the captains before the start decided that the day's sport should consist of a social run of about six miles, followed by a mile "break," the first six home to count at the finish.
The cross-country run met with universal approval, the easy pace keeping the runners well together, thus ensuring minimum delay at the start of the mile race.
As anticipated, this proved a great struggle for supremacy between the various club champions, but so hot was the pace that only Heath, of Liverpool H., and W. R. Richardson, of Wallasey, were left to settle the issue in the concluding stages.
The Liverpool Harrier held tenaciously to the slight lead he had obtained in the final bend, but only inches separated the runners at the finishing line.
Unfortunately, this proved a solo effort for Wallasey, as the absence of such notable Wallasey athletes as F. K. Ledward, G. M. Band, and H. C. Binns, left a gap behind the leaders which the opposing teams were quick to fill.
The Liverpool men packed well and succeeded in occupying the third, fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth positions, which ensured them an easy team victory with 29 points.
The second Wallasey runner to finish was Ambrose, who occupied 10th place. He will improve rapidly with experience.
My prophecy of a week or so ago regarding Crompton was fully substantiated when he succeeded in filling the third place for the club. I repeat that this boy will bear watching.
L. Kinsey, H. Jones, and J. Edwards all ran well and completed the team.
Taken on individual merits Wallasey's performance was good and should well please those who have watched the club's progress from executive positions.
The athletic programme for today includes the ever popular five-mile road handicap, to be held at West Derby, and Wallasey's chances, in my opinion, are, to say the least good.
Those competing will meet at Liverpool Town Hall at 2.15p.m. prompt.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 04/11/1933
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