Merseyside Track and Field League leaders in the men's section, Wallasey Athletic Club stormed to what should prove to be an unassailable lead of 30 points, when they were hosts last Saturday at Lingham Park, Moreton, to the six other clubs that make up the league.
Starting the day with a 15-point lead over near rivals Waterloo, the home club ran neck and neck with them and Pilkingtons (St. Helens) throughout the first half of a varied programme, which, as Radio Merseyside put it, 'had all the advantages of first-class organisation'; then pulled away over the second half to finish clear winners on the day.
With only one more meeting to go, at Waterloo this Saturday, Wallasey should emerge as the first holders of the league trophy for men.
Individual performances of note were Bob Warburton's mile win in 4 min. 48.2 secs., Terry Fleming's victory in the shot, in which he took his personal performance to 44 ft. 2in,; Andy Fulton's win in the boys' shot with 34 ft. 9½in., and a great double in the javelin for Eric Taylor, who took the junior event with 173 ft. 7in. repeated his placing in the senior event with 152 ft. 10in.
But perhaps pride of place should go to Dave Lockley, who spreadeagled the field in the 2,000 metres steeplechase and set a personal best of 6 min. 3.8 secs., winning by a full 12 seconds, and later in the programme leading Wallasey to a great 3-mile team victory over Liverpool and Waterloo.
Although the ladies' section cannot hope to catch league leaders, Pilkingtons and Liverpool at this late hour, they made quite an impact on the meeting with some very plucky performances,'
Carole Huston was placed third in the girls' 150 yds. in 19.7 secs,, whilst Phyllis Edwards went one better in the ladies' 440 with a person best 62.2 secs.
Without doubt the most stirring race of the afternoon came when Karen Kelly fought tooth and nail, for a second place in the girls' 880 yds., after leading through a first lap of 72 secs., Karen was passed by the more, experienced Liverpool competitor 60 yds. from the tape, but came at her again to get within 0.1 of a second on the line.
The crowd were on their toes shouting the two girls on, and the young Wallasey girl can be proud of a time 2 min. 39.2 secs., for her first attempt at the distance.
With one meeting to go, the scores stand at - Men: 1st, Wallasey, 632 pts.; 2nd, Waterloo, 602; 3rd; Liverpool 540; 4th, Pilkingtons 429; 5th, Wirral 252; 6th, Pembroke 163; and 7th Sefton 56. Ladies: 1st, Pilkingtons 373; 2nd, Liverpool 340; 3rd, Wirral 201; 4th, Wallasey 192, and 5th, Waterloo 106.
Wallasey Athletic Club wish to thank all those officials and helpers who made last week's meeting, such a success.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Friday, 10/05/1968 by DISCOBOLUS
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