Wallasey Athletic Club's return visit to Leeds for the Aaron youths' and boys' cross-country races last Saturday was a qualified success, with the youths taking 4th team place in a field of over 140 runners.
The boys' race over two laps of one mile of parkland, was a lesson in 'packing', from Colne Valley High School who without any of the well-known names, scored 10th, 12th, and 21st to take the team award. Wallasey's runners, perhaps overawed by the field of 150-plus starters, fared badly and only Bob Brimage ran to form being placed in the low forties, with Phil Keating an estimated 82nd, Colin Reiners about 90th and Gerry McGregor on the century mark. Official results were not to hand at the time of writing.
The youths had to run an extra lap and Rochdale's Adshead took the individual title whilst Leeds City with 36 pts. captured the team award from Wakefield (43 pts.) and Manchester A.C. (48 pts.) in third place.
For Wallasey, Dave Lockley once again took first place for his team by running into 13th position with Johnny Jones not far behind in 22nd place. Both Mel Schless and Brian Knox surprised by placing 28th and 34th respectively, and, with only three to count, Wallasey A.C. took 4th place with 63 pts.
Steve Walker had 'bad one' and was well behind his colleagues in the seventies, whilst John Horobin brought up the rear near the 80 mark.
With four to score in the Northern and National Championships early in the New Year, the club could yet pull something out of the bag, for it is unlikely that Steve Walker will run as badly again and more attention to shorter, faster, training may well pay dividends when it counts.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 18/11/1967
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