Don Anderson, Cheshire County youth champion was Wallasey A.C.'s best performer on Saturday when the club were engaged in a three cornered inter-club fixture against Sefton Harriers and Waterloo Harriers at Sefton.
In the youth event over three miles he clashed with Kevin Gilligan of Waterloo who finished a close second in the Lancashire County Championships last week and is strongly fancied to win the forthcoming Liverpool & District and West Lancashire championships.
On this occasion anyway Anderson confirmed Wallasey hopes that he will prove too good for Gilligan in these events by winning comfortably by about 50 yards. Together with Batty of Sefton, Anderson ran level with Gilligan from the start and at about three-quarter distance pulled away strongly to win easing up in a time of 17 mins. 4 secs.
Wallasey's other scoring runners were Hugh Pritchard, who maintained his improved form to finish in eighth position and Colin Harris 12th, The team event was won by Waterloo with 18 points against Sefton's 29, with Wallasey failing to finish a complete team.
The boys' race also saw Wallasey in the ascendancy with Walter Hogarth winning the individual race and the team easily beating Sefton.
Hogarth was also up against one of his main Liverpool & District rivals in A. Linford of Sefton Harriers, and he confirmed his form in winning the Cheshire County boys championship by coming home a steady winner in a time of 9 mins. 16 secs. for the 1½ mile course.
Wallasey's team packed in great style by placing their counting four in the first five places, Hogarth being supported by I. McIvor (3rd), J. Sefton (4th) and W. Farrell (5th) with A. Anderson (7th), B. Woolford (8th), and P. White (12th).
The senior race was marred by fog with the result that the field ran together as a pack for the first five miles, finishing with a two-mile break for home. The winner was M. Hoyland of Sefton Harriers.
Bob Johnston appeared content to finish in second position to a runner who would not normally be expected to extend him, being followed by A. Clarke (3rd), K. Ledward (4th), D. Standfast (10th) and C. R. Hewson (24th).
One of the major events of the cross-country season takes place at Kettering, Northants today when a field of 300 runners representing 31 counties will contest the Inter-Counties championships.
As a result of his great victory in the Cheshire Championships, Bob Johnston will be leading the Cheshire team in what is regarded by many as having a higher standard than even the National as each team is composed o the first nine men home in the respective county championships.
This means that only good class runners are engaged and the standard even at the rear of the field is very high. Good luck, Bob!
Wallasey travel to Wirral A.C.'s headquarters at Rose Cottage, Holm Lane, Prenton today, and teams and supporters are asked to meet outside the fire station, Charing Cross, Birkenhead at 2:30 p.m.
Wallasey A.C. headquarters at Leasowe Road will be open for those members who for any reason are unable to travel to Prenton.
The Liverpool & District championships next Saturday are to be held at Liverpool Pembroke's course at Court Hey, Liverpool and not at Prenton as originally decided.
Applications for membership will be welcomed by assistant secretary Bob McCaig, 30 Taunton Road, Wallasey (Tel. 8904).
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 17/01/1953 by R.M.
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