On Saturday the nineteenth annual race organised by the Liverpool & District Cross-country Association was decided at Bebington, the central point being the central point being the Wirral Showgrounds.
Fortunately, rain held off, but the wet morning had the effect of minimising the attendance of spectators of this popular sporting fixture. The attendance, nevertheless, was a large one. The Senior Race over nine and a quarter miles proved a comfortably easy triumph for W. T. Clarke (Sefton H.), the well-known Marathon runner. He dashed away at pistol-shot, and was never headed, though closely chased throughout the race by a number of other well-known distance runners, including three other ex-Northern champions, J. T. Rimmer (Sefton), C. J. Straw and S. Welding (Sutton). H. Holbrook (Warrington A.C.), who finished second, is a distance runner of great promise. Clarke's third success in this race is all the more remarkable because he was only a reserve entrant for his team. The explanation proved to be his invincible objection to taking part in a repetition of last year's practice of the huge pack circling the cinder track of the show grounds before leaving for the country. Last February he was so badly spiked by another runner that blood-poisoning stopped him almost entirely from serious competition during the remainder of the year. Club honours again went to Sutton H., whose team almost excelled themselves in a recovery of that brilliant form which made them National Champions a few years ago. They quite turned the tables upon Warrington A.C., by whom they were defeated a fortnight ago at St. Helens. The junior event of about seven miles also furnished good sport, though L. Drinkwater's superiority over his rivals was so marked as to emphasise the necessity for explaining that a junior maybe a junior for all time unless his club wins the team honour. Then they, and he with them, become seniors. This young member of St. Helens Recs. A.C. won the corresponding race of last year. On Saturday he won with greater ease than before, showing fine judgment and action. The club medals, with promotion, were secured by Liverpool Boundary. They almost surprised themselves by beating the much-fancied Wallasey A.C., who were unfortunate in having one of their counting men incapacitated at the start.
Senior Race. - Individuals
M. S.
1. W. T. Clarke, Sefton H 45 30
2. H. Holbrook, Warrington A.C. 45 47
3. J. T. Rimmer, Sefton H. 46 5
4. S. Welding, Sutton H. 46 9
5. C. A. Millington, Pembroke H. 46 15
6. T. Melia, Sacred Heart H. 46 22
7. C. J. Straw, Sutton H. 46 26
8. J. Parsonage, Warrington A.C. 46 30
9. Joe Bailey, Sutton H. 46 37
10. F. J. Whittle, Sutton H. 46 43
11. C. Holland, Sacred Heart H. 46 47
13. H. Hardman, Sutton H 46 57
Teams. Points.
1. Sutton H. (4, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13) 55
2. Warrington A.C. (2, 8, 15, 16, 22, 37) 100
3. Sefton (1, 3, 17, 19, 44, 45) 129
4. Sacred Heart, St. Helens (6, 11, 24, 29, 33, 35) 138
5. West Cheshire (23, 27, 29. 32, 36, 43) 189
6. Warrington U. (23, 26, 38, 52, 54. 70) 285
Ravenhead H. scored 274 points, Pembroke 294, Runcorn Holy Trinity 395, Liverpool H. 414, North Liverpool Gymnasium 455, Liverpool Gymnasium 471.
Novice Race. Individuals a.
1. L. Drinkwater. St. Helens A.C. 33 48
2. W. H. Begg, Boundary H. 34 14
3 and 4. T. J. Brookes, Wallasey A.C and J. W. Fraser, Southport H 34 51
5. J. M'Guffog, Boundary H. 34 58
6. G. Barratt, Boundary H. 35 9
Teams. Points.
1. Liverpool Boundary (2, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21) 55
2. Wallasey (31/2, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18) 801/2
St. Helens Recs scored 156, St. Austin (St. Helens) 158, Runcorn Tally-ho 183, Liverpool Oddfellows 237, Southport 2611/2, Richmond 266, and Gordon 287.
Rylands failed to finish a team.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 12/02/1910
Ref 2928