Three of Wallasey Athletic Club's' junior girl athletes raced at Woodbank Park, Stockport, last Saturday in the Cheshire women's cross-country championships.
It was their first taste of high class competition - a taste which Sylvia Brimage clearly enjoyed, in winning with a time of 15 minutes 1 second over the hilly 2 1/3rd mile course. Her nearest opponent finished over 30 seconds behind.
Julie Halfpenny and Susan Lloyd - with no summer performances to suggest their form - also ran extremely well to finish 6th (16m. 17s.) and 14th (16m. 37s.) in a field of more than 50 runners, and help the team to gain third place.
Meanwhile, at Arrowe Park the club's team of two boys and two youths finished 5th in the H. S. Finney Trophy 4 x 1 ¾ miles relay.
Gary Fair again asserted himself and completed the first leg in 9 mins. 05 secs., the fastest boy's time of the day.
He was ably supported by Bob Brimage, whose time was 9 mins. 15 secs.
Colin Reiners struggled to the heavy conditions, failing to break 10 minutes, and the team's other youth, making his debut for the club, showed promise in clocking 9 mins. 47 secs. with little training behind him.
The seniors; 'A' team, without two of its strongest runners over the three-miles distance, could only manage 10th place.
John Jones handed over at the end of the first leg in third position, with a very good time of 15 mins. 32 secs. Barrie Smith, now well on the way back to full fitness, held this position, in 15 mins. 46 secs., with Mike Teahan, with 17 mins. 04 secs., had to concede five places on his leg. Similarly, John Wright lost two places with 17 mins. 19 secs.
The 'B' team had encouraging results with Mike Weatherilt responding to the competition with a time of 17 mins. 08 secs. Had this been foreseen, Mike would ,have comprised part of the 'A' team.
Phil Wealthy and Ray Kay clocked 17 mins. 27 secs. and 17 mins. 44 secs., whilst Dave Adair struggled on the heavy ground, in 19 mins. 16 secs.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Friday, 13/12/1968
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