A bitterly cold day saw the staging of the Wallasey Schoolgirls' Cross-Country Championships now extended to the Wirral schools. Three races were held. Race 1 for girls 11-13 years, race 2 for girls 13-15 years, and race 3 for girls 15-plus,
Race 1 over one mile of sandhills, turned out to be a runaway victory for M. McShane (Kirklands) who started very quickly, built up a substantial lead in the first quarter-mile and hung on to it to win by 36 secs. in 6 mins. 52 secs, from A. Clague (Kirklands) who just pipped C. Horobin (Quarry Mount) to second place.
Kirklands 'A' team won the team event from their 'B' team with City of Chester High School third,
Gillian Ackers (Wallasey High) proved an even more convincing winner in race 2, holding off on early challenge from J. Trevit (Oldershaw) with complete authority, going on to win by 33 secs. in 6 mins. 38 secs. from C. Billingham (Kirklands) with J. Trevit third, Wallasey High won the team event from Kirklands and Oldershaw.
Race 3 was won by Sylvia Brimage (Oldershaw) 27 seconds clear, running with great confidence, forcing the pace the whole way to win in 12 mins. 20 secs., second was B. Beadall (Kirklands), and third G. King (Upton Convent),
The team event went to Kirklands, with Upton Convent runners up. Wallasey Athletic Club, who organised the races, were pleased to see such a good turn-out, in such bad conditions, and all the girls should be congratulated on finishing.
Still with the ladies today sees, the inter-counties at Bristol, where Barbara Banks will be captaining a Cheshire Ladies Cross-Country team, which contains two other Wallasey A.C. girls Margaret Ashcroft and Jean Beswick. In the intermediate girls race Sylvia Brimage and Susan Carter will be running for Cheshire as will Gillian Ackers, in the junior girls. We all wish them the very best.
Last Saturday, Dave Lockley making his first run for the Cheshire senior team, ran brilliantly into 105th position. Dave although only 20 years old, and facing the counties senior runners succeeded in being Cheshire's fourth runners home ahead of many notable names including two of the winning county's (Lancashire) runners in help Cheshire to eighth place.
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Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 24/01/1970
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