Running with comparative ease over the 7-mile cross-country course which Cheshire County laid out at Woodbank Park, Stockport last Saturday, Wallasey's Ron Barlow ran away from the rest of the 76 starters and left his immediate challenger, M. Cranny (Wirral A.C.) over 200 yards in his wake.
After completing two small laps, the senior runners had to contend with three larger circuits on which the main obstacles were a steep downhill run in deep mud, followed by an equally sharp ascent up the other side, in equally deep mud.
Wallasey Athletic Club captain Brian Woolford underlined his recent form by, running into 4th place, and, along with Barlow, was selected to represent Cheshire in next week's Inter-Counties' Championships which are to be held at Blackpool.
Wallasey had John Wright in 11th place and Barrie Smith was 20th, both good runs, before Mike Teahan came home in 52nd position with the remaining team counter, Doug Hanna, at 57.
Just behind Doug in 59th place was Len Durkin, and Carl Gee 65th, was last home for Wallasey.
Wirral A.C. took the team award with 71 pts., and Wallasey gained the silver medals with 145 pts. whilst Sale A.C., were 3rd, scoring 164 pts.
Duplicating the feat of the senior section, Wallasey A.C.'s boys' team took 2nd place in the team awards.
Once again Dave Lockley followed home Dave Buckley (Warrington) and the margin of 9 seconds still puts Dave among the elite in the country over this distance, as Buckley has been English schools' cross-country champion for two successive years now.
In the absence of Johnny Jones, who is still not fit, Dave was ably supported by Steve Walker (13th), Les Watcham (14th), and Mel Schless (18th), who made up the counting four for medals.
Paul Barrie was just beaten out of a team award by Schless by 1 second, Mel having the edge on the run-in, and last up for Wallasey and having his first race for the club was Philip Wealthy in 29th place.
The youths' race over 3 miles saw Ken Roscoe in 11th place and Mike McNamee was 18th, whilst in the Junior boys' event Neil Hampson was best placed for the club in 15th position, Bob Brimage was 40th and Peter Banks 41st.
Wallasey A.C. are the hosts to Liverpool & District today, when four races will be decided over the Bidston course. With the first race timed for 2 p.m., the stewards and markers are requested to report to Bob McCaig at 1:30 p.m. at the clubhouse.
Spectators will be welcomed and there is no charge for watching. Please come along and support your local team.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 08/01/1966 by DISCOBOLUS
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