It wasn't the best of days for running, last Saturday, hot and dry and with an appreciable wind blowing up the home straight of Blackburn's Witton Park track, where a triangular match was staged between the Merseyside, North East Lancs. and Bolton Leagues.
Merseyside dominated the match with either 1st, 2nd or 3rd in practically every event. Final result: 1st, Merseyside League, 278 points, 2nd, North East Lancs. League. 188 points; 3rd, Bolton League, 76 points.
In the Merseyside League team were nine Wallasey athletes.
Our only lady competitor was Barbara Banks, who came third in the 880 yards in 2 mins. 22.4 secs. with Merseyside gaining maximum points and 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings.
In the junior mile, Johnny Jones proved superb and led all the way. He was challenged bravely on the last straight by Fox, but he still had plenty left and just managed to beat Fox at the post, both runners recording a time of 4 mins. 24.1 secs,
The youths' mile saw Wallasey's three athletes placed 4th, Bob Warburton 4 mins. 48.4 secs., 6th, Gary Fair in 4 mins. 51.5 secs. (a personal best time) and 8th, Bob Brimage in 4 mins. 59.3 secs. Another 1st for Liverpool came from Dave Lockley in the 2,000 metres steeplechase, a race he dictated right from the gun and won easlily in 5 mins. 58.6 secs. only 2 slower than his personal best
time, if he had be challenged he would definitely have recorded a new personal best.
In the field events Wallasey had another 1st place with Terry Leach's javelin throw of 137 ft. 1½ ins. winning him the event by a mere 1½ ins. In the discus event Terry was placed 3rd with 119ft. 8 ins. And 3rd in the shot with 36ft 4½ ins. a personal-best by 11 inches. He was undoubtedly Wallasey man of the day.
Andy Fulton came second in the shot competition with a personal-best throw of 37ft. More speed across the circle would have given him more distance and possible 1st place,
Pete Watson had a busy day with long and triple jump placing of 5th and 4th respectively. He had trouble with his run-up in the long jump and landed 18ft. 11ins. with his last jump. In his triple jump he managed 38ft. 2½lns. but suffered, as do many triple jumpers, from a short step.
Much of the atmosphere of the match was lost through a noticeable lack of spectators, and one wonders what performances could have been put in had there been a cheering crowd urging the competitors on.
This match virtually closed the athletics season for Wallasey Athletic Club, who are now beginning to consider the longer distance over country and roads. Any athletes who were reported missing during the summer should be thinking of putting in appearances at the club for training purposes.
This coming season should see a strong senior team and a
Fairly strong junior team. However strong our teams may be, we are always in need of new talent. If you are interested, please turn up at Leasowe Road, behind St. George's School on any Monday, Wednesday, Saturday or at Lingham Park running track on a Tuesday and Thursday evening. All sessions start at approximately 7:30 p.m.
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Source - Wallasey News - Friday, 30/08/1968
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