Wallasey athletes John Wright and Ron Barlow dominated the final Liverpool & District Mob Run held from Wallasey headquarters at Leasowe Road last Saturday.
Over a 7 mile course made heavy by continuous rain these two together with Brian Woolford, also of Wallasey A. C. again demonstrated that a thoroughly fit and trained athlete will always run well regardless of conditions. These three have run consistently well in all this season's fixtures.
Once Wright and Barlow put on the pressure after two or three miles the result was never in doubt and this formidable pair finished joint first, well ahead of the large field. Making due allowance for these two being on the fringe of international class this race appeared to confirm the mediocrity of Liverpool & District cross-country running.
After Harris of Wirral A.C. in second place, Brian Woolford filled third position by again beating Pembroke's current number one Vince Bateman.
Incidentally, how nice to see Pembroke's Ronnie Williams finishing well up the field. He has been plodding hard for about two years with a shortened leg as a result of a car crash. Through sheer grit and perseverance this former Lancashire County runner has offset as far as possible his love of balance and rhythm.
Without White and Mather, Wallasey failed again in the team event and it is to be hoped that their supporting runners find form in the January championships to give Wright, Barlow and Woolford the support they deserve.
In the boys' race, Wallasey were well to the fore with Peter Meldrum, John McWilliam, David Burns and Tony Ferris occupying first, second, fourth and fifth places but in the youths' race they met with keen competition and their best performer was David Duncan, tenth with Alan Howard twelfth, Bill Gregory fifteenth Frank Davies eighteenth and John Howard twenty-first.
To-day Wallasey A. C. travel to Wirral A. C. headquarters at Prenton (any 70 bus to Swan Hotel) where the Ham Finney Trophy race will start at 3 p.m. with separate boys and youths races at 2:15 and 2:30 respectively.
Applications fro membership will be welcomed by either general secretary Matt Smith, of 29 Beechwood Avenue or Bob McCaig, 30 Taunton Road (Tel. No. New Brighton 1632).
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 03/12/1960 by R.M.C.
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