Wallasey's junior athletes had a field day last Saturday, taking first place in each of three races in the Wallasey Schools' Championships (cross-country) and romping to a decisive victory In the Stretford relays,
In the latter event, a cross-country relay in which three runners each completed a 2-mile lap, Brian Knox returned in 2nd position, 50 yards behind the leading Manchester runner, and handed over to Johnny Jones, who not only ran the, 3rd fastest lap of the day but put Wallasey into a commanding lead of over 100 yards. Dave Lockley increased this to 200 yards at the finish.
Lap times for the trio were: Knox, 10 mins. 17 secs.; Jones,
10 mins. 3 secs.; and Lockley 10:12. The race was won by 20 seconds from Manchester A.C., with Colne Valley (Yorkshire) in 3rd place.
The lions' share of honours in the schools' cross-country races went to Gorsedale and Wallasey Tech. Grammar who, between them provided individual and team winners in two of the three events.
The remaining race, the youths' 2½ miles, went to Wallasey Grammar School captain Steve Walker. He was pushed all the way by his team-mate, Phillip Wealthy, before drawing away in the closing stages to win by a comfortable 35 seconds with John Horobin and Colin Reiners running in together half a minute later.
Spectators witnessed two fine races when the junior and senior boys' events were held around a new course consisting of grassland, sand and roadway.
In the junior event over 1½ miles, young Stephen Daniels (Gorsedale S.M.), showed judgment beyond his years when he allowed Fawkes (Oldershaw) to dictate the early pace and was content to await his chance to go to the front, shortly after the start of the second lap. Spurting ahead just before the sand-hills, he opened a gap of 20 yards which he held to the finish.
Daniels' team-mate Booth came through strongly over the last 100 yards to pass the tiring Fawkes and with placings of 1, 2, 7 and 16, Gorsedale won the team award from Wallasey Grammar School by 26 points to 31, with Wallasey Tech G.S. ion 42 points in 3rd place.
In the senior boys' race over a 2-mile course, with 68 runners, an unprecedented score of 10 points, the lowest possible winning margin, gave Wallasey Technical G.S. an overwhelming victory.
Garry Fair timed his effort to perfection after Bob Brimage had led for three-quarters of the race, and went on to win by 7 seconds, with Bob Warburton two seconds behind in 3rd place. Paul Hughes completed the team, three seconds behind Bob or 4th place. With 'Tech' boys also in 5th, 8, 9th, and 11 positions, their 'B' team made it a one-two, with Gorsedale in 3rd place on 58 points.
Wallasey Athletic Club have teams entered in the Sutton (St. Helens) road races today. There will also be a club run, at 2:30, for those not going to Sutton.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 16/03/1968 by Discobolus.
Ref 1468