At Port Sunlight last Saturday, Wallasey A.C. scored their first senior championship victory for a good many years when they defeated powerful Sutton Harriers and Pembroke A.C. in the H. S. Finney Elimination Trophy.
The weather was cold and wet and the three-lap, 5½ mile course, though flat, had plenty of hazards in the form of ditches and greasy ploughland to try the 100 or so runners. Soon after the start four runners broke away from the main group. These four - Wright, White and Barlow of Wallasey, and Prescott of Pembroke - had a spirited tussle for individual honours, and the race was only decided in the last mile when Pete White and John Wright, closely followed by Ron Barlow, put in a spurt which carried them away from the Pembroke runner. That was the final position, while Wallasey, gaining the first three places, was in an almost impregnable position in the team race.
The trio were well supported by Tony Townsend and Dave White 14th and 15th, Phil Townsend 25th, Bob Johnson 48th, and Roy Parry making a welcome return to the sport in 58th place. This result gave these young runners much encouragement, and as they now know that they have only to win the County championship in January to be considered for the Manchester - Blackpool road relay, they are devoting more time and effort to training, with the hope of future honours.
The youths' and boys' races were both individual events, with no team championship. In the boys' event we had out five promising youngsters: 10th P. Davies, 12th P. Thomson, 16th J. Howard, 18th R. Shepherd, 19th P. Kirby.
Today the Club travel to Kendal by coach for a 5-mlle handicap road race. We hope to do well, though I have a suspicion our leading runners may find their handicaps too much.
For those not journeying to Kendal, there will be a club run from Club H.Q., Leasowe Playing Fields, at 3 p.m., and non-members who are interested are welcome to turn up.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 14/12/1957 by SPIKE
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