A number of Wallasey Athletic Club members competed at Port Sunlight Oval last Wednesday evening at the first of the season's graded meetings to be held in the district.
With a blustery wind facing the sprinters down the home straight, times were slower than would normally be expected , and it was no surprise when young Ian Wilson returned 11.9 seconds, to finish second in his heat of the 100 yards, nearly a second slower than he is capable of, and 26.3 in the 220 yards later on.
In the grade 1 half mile, John Morley looked good with 60 yards to go, but lack of strength beat him and he had to be content with 3rd place in a passable 2 mins. 8 secs. The grade II 880 saw Les Watchman and Colin McDonnell placed 3rd and 4th respectively in 2:25 and 2:28.8 whilst our girls finished 1st and 2nd in their heat. Margaret Ashcroft winning in 2:36 and an improving Barbara Banks close behind in 2:47.8.
Kevin Mather and Brian Woolford ran well in their 2 mile heat sharing the lead with Sefton's B. Deary for most of the race, but neither had any answer to the latter's last lap sprint and they finished in the above order in 9:20.3 and 9:33 with Brian Chalton in 5th position in 10:07. In the grade II race Dave Field ran well but misjudged his finishing burst and was placed second in 10:29.
Last Saturday, Wallasey's runners repeated last years third place in the Salford 4 x 2¾ road race finishing behind the Northern Cross-Country champions, Manchester and District A.C. and Longwood (Yorks). Individual times are not to hand but the teams recorded Manchester 52 mins. 2 secs.; 2nd Longwood 52 mins. 25 secs.; Wallasey 52 mins. 34 secs.; Bolton 52 mins. 54 secs. Bolton's H. Freary ran the fastest lap in 12 mins. 21 secs. D. Ibbottson was 2nd fastest with 12 mins. 50 secs. and Ron Barlow of Wallasey 3rd with 12 mins. 53 secs.
New members will be made welcome at the club H.Q. Leasowe Road Playing Fields. Monday or Thursday 7-9 p.m. or Saturday 2-5 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 16/05/1964 by DISCOBOLUS
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