Club Race Reports Season 1946-1947
Liverpool & District XC Union
Championships - Woolton - 01/03/1947 - Senior Men
Arriving at the venue too late to start, W. Gee, of Wallasey Athletic Club, probably lost the team the Liverpool & District Youths Championship when the championships were run of at Woolton last Saturday.
Three of the Wallasey team finished in the first eight, G. A. Walker, who finished third last year, ran remarkably well after his recent injury and was placed fifth. D. Kelly was 6th and R. Johnston found some of his early season form to finish 8th, D. Wright was next to finish in 22nd place, giving a score of 41 and 3rd place, 12 points behind the winners, Liverpool Harriers.
M. Ward ran well in the Wallasey colours to finish 14th in the junior championship (under 21) over six miles.
J. Barry who won the Northern on the previous Saturday, was again successful in the senior championship over 9¼ miles, finishing well ahead of the much fancied A. B. Parker, of Liverpool University. R. E. Young, son of the former Wallasey champion, gave another fine display, running powerfully throughout to lead the team home in 13th position.
Wirral A.C. were easy winners, followed by Liverpool Harriers and Liverpool University, with Wallasey a close 4th.
Christmas Handicap
Christmas Handicap - Leasowe - 21/12/1946 - Seniors
C. R. Hewson, one time assistant hon. secretary of Wallasey Athletic Club won the club's Christmas Handicap over 3¼ miles at Leasowe last Saturday.
In a great finish Hewson broke the tape in about half a yard ahead of Tony Simpson, the youth's captain, who in turn had J. S. Arkless, the vice-captain, and Denis Kelly hard on his heels. The race and indeed each of the 28 starters, who all finished the course,
Were started by his worship the Mayor of Wallasey, scratch man being John Edwards, Wallasey and Liverpool Cross-Country Champion. Hewson with four minutes start, ran cleverly to win and Simpson, who received 3¾ minutes, showed very improved form and made a great challenge on the Leasowe Road finish. John Arkless, too, excelled himself off 1¼ mins. mark and had the honour of recording fastest time of the day, an achievement which augurs well for this strong runner. The president of Wallasey Athletic Club, Mr A. G. Nicholson, who deputised as timekeeper, said a blanket would have covered the first four as they finished. D. Kelly, with 2 minutes allowance, maintained his magnificent form in taking fourth place and recording fourth fastest time. The first ten men finished inside 27 seconds. Other notable performances were those of the scratch man, J. Edwards, who on his lonely run, put up second fastest time, R. C. Leach, the former Cheshire County Mile Champion, who finished 10th, and did 3rd fastest, and R. Richardson, 8th, 7th fastest.
The Mayor, was accompanied by the Mayoress, presented the runners with their prizes, all the 28 finishers receiving an award in the time honoured custom.
