As on a number of occasions this summer, Wallasey Athletic Club's Melvin Schless again demonstrated that he will be a useful addition to the youths' cross-country team next winter when last Saturday he won the mile event at Widnes Police Sports.
The fields were bunched together until the half mile mark when D. Reid (Liverpool and Lancashire) broke away, followed closely by Schless, with the remaining runners fading quickly from the picture.
With one lap to go, Schless turned on the heat an d strode away to win comfortably in 4 mins. 40.8 secs., with Reid some six seconds behind.
Supporting for Wallasey, Pete Lewis waseighth in 5 mins. 5 secs., Colin Reiners ninth (5:07) and Bob Warburton tenth in a personal best, 5:09.
Despite a, great last 880 leg by Doug Hanna, which brought his team up from fourth to third place, Wallasey's one mile medley relay tea failed to realise their promise at Widnes on Saturday.
Doug set about reducing the distance between himself and the Leigh man with such effort that it is almost certain that he ran a personal best time for the 'half'.
In spite of all his endeavour, the Wallasey team could only manage a third place (one place outside the prizes unfortunately).
Another good win for Brian McGrath came in the high jump. He cleared 5 ft. 10 ins. At his first attempt but failed at 6 ft., although he was 5 inches clear of the next man on handicap at this juncture.
Brian is one of the seven club athletes who are to coloured films taken of their actions by national coach Dennis Watts next month. These training loops are invaluable in the overall work that a field event exponent has to put in during the winter months when the finer points of technique can be worked on and communications made with the world's best athletes.
A number of Wallasey club members will be going to Victoria Park, Warrington today for a national standards meeting. Athletes travel from Yorkshire, Derbyshire, North Wales, etc. to compete with performers of a high standing as it is only in such company that outstanding results can be obtained.
Merseyside has a chance to see many current and future international stars in person next Saturday when the A.A.A.'s junior championships will be held for the first time at Kirkby.
Of particular interest to Wallaseyeans will be junior Alan Kin, 100 yards and 440 yards hurdles, and Eric Taylor javelin, whilst Ian Wilson and Peter Lewis are to try their arm at the youths' 880 yards. Members and friends are urged to go along and cheer them on.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 29/07/1967 by DISCOBOLUS
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