Running at Port Sunlight last Saturday, Wallasey's senior athletes completely monopolised the race.
They provided the individual winner and also placed the first and second teams. Ron Barlow successfully defended the title he won last year in the fast times of 30 mins. 22 secs., just two seconds ahead of the second man, Sefton Harrier, Brendan Deary; in third place was Wallasey's John Wright in a time of 30 mins. 32 secs. The strength of the Wallasey Club in this branch of athletics can be seen from the fact that they placed six men in the first nine places.
The race for the individual title soon became a battle between five runners, the three Wallasey men, Barlow, Wright and Woolford, Deary of Sefton and Cranny of Wirral. After three miles this group had opened up a gap of about 350 yards over the next group which comprised of Mather and Parry of Wallasey and Fearon of Wallasey Harriers. At this stage Chalton had moved strongly through the field and running powerfully was lying in ninth position. It was already apparent that if Parry and Chalton could keep the next two Wirral men behind them then they would also take 2nd place in the team race, the 1st place already even at this early stage being a certainty for Barlow, Wright and Woolford.
During the last two miles Chalton moved ahead of Parry but the two Wirral men could make no impression. With Mather also having left Fearon, Wallasey were well in command of the situation. The result thus gave Wallasey - 'A' - Barlow 1st, Wright 3rd, Woolford 5th to total nine points, 2nd Wallasey 'B' - Mather 6th, Chalton 8th, Parry 9th totaling 23 points and 3rd Wirral 'A' - Cranny 4th, Doyle 11th, Camden 12th to total 27 points.
This Saturday, Wallasey are to be represented at the Bolton U.H. 4x3¾ mile relay by Barlow, Woolford, Mather and Parry and with the confidence gained at Port Sunlight, hopes are that the team will gain a place in the first three.
Like their senior counterparts Wallasey's boys team have been campaigning in relays over the past two weeks and Saturday, March 28 they had three teams in the Sale 3x1½ miles Road Relay. In the under 14 age group Wallasey were represented by Mike Potter, Ian Wilson and Colin McDonnell finishing 18th out of 25 teams. In the under 13 race, Wallasey were represented by David Adair, Les Watchman and Eddie Oldham and all ran well to finish a creditable 11th out of 22 teams competing. In the under 16 race, Wallasey had only two runners the third man took ill at the last moment, and no replacement was available, but Robin Tarrant and Mike Mason turned out for the run. Last Saturday the boys had a team In the Warrington 4x1 mile Cross-Country Relay and ran well to finish 15th out of 23 teams only 2 mins. 34 secs. behind the winning club Warrington A.C., Eddie Oldham set out on the first leg and in returning a time of 5 mins, 51 secs. finished in the 17th place. On the second stage Wallasey had David Adair and although he did a faster time - 5 mins. 49 secs. was unfortunate to lose two places leaving Wallasey 19th. Robin Tarrant on the third lap with a time of 5 mins. 52 secs. pulled Wallasey back to 17th position and this left David Burns with the final stage and lot of ground to make up, David ran a very creditable lap and returned Wallasey's fastest time of the day 5 mins. 47 secs. and pulled up a further two places to finish 15th.
To-day at the Club Headquarters the Boys Cross-Country Championships are being held commencing at 2:45 p.m. With Alan Bell now having departed for, the Navy the race is wide open and a tussle is expected between Robin Tarrant, David Burns, Eddie Oldham and Les Watchman.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 11/04/1964 by Steptoe
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