Wallasey Athletic Club relay teams have recorded two new club records. The 400 metre relay team of Pete Lewis, Ian Wilson, Doug Hanna and Phil Wealthy recorded 3 min. 28.9 secs. in finishing second in the Lancashire Constabulary Sports, and the 100 metre relay team of Alan Cheers, Geoff Davies, Mike Teahan and Phil Wealthy recorded 46.8 sec. In finishing third in a Northern League meeting.
The former 400 metre relay team of Alan Cheers, a successful afternoon's competition in the Police Sports where Wallasey athletes collected prizes to the value of over £20. While finishing in second in the relay and losing the Coronation Trophy to Warrington A.C.
There was no disgrace in the performance with Wallasey always in contention and only losing to the finishing speed of John Harrison an England representative in the Commonwealth Games over 100 metres.
Earlier in the afternoon Julie Halfpenny finished second in the intermediate girls 400 metres and fifth in the 100 metres.
Pete Lewis repeated his performance of the previous year in finishing second in the senior 800 metres, recording a creditable 1 min. 55.6 secs. with club colleague Phil Wealthy third.
Ladies captain Janice Watts stepped down her distance to good effect, leading the 400 metre field into the home straight and eventually finishing a close second in 62.3 secs. Lindsey Hewson, two years younger than her rivals, in the junior girls 100 metres ran well for fifth position.
Mike Teahan had his best jump of the season for third place (5ft. 3in.), the same position as Carl Gee in the shot.
The following day many of the same athletes were again in the West of Pennines Division of the Northern League at Oldham, the Wallasey men's team performing well to finish fifth.
In good conditions the Wallasey team took a short-lived lead with the fine throwing of Carl Gee and Phil Holmes in the hammer. The former produced a personal best throw of 97ft. 3in. For third in the competition. On the track, Ian Wilson and Doug Hanna were also performing well over the strength sapping 400 metre hurdles event.
In the 800 metres Pete Lewis was only beaten by a superbly fit Malcolm Pegler of Manchester A.C., Phil Wealthy won the 'B' event.
The team's position began to fade with some disappointing performances in the 100 metres and the 3,000 metres steeplechase in which Bob Brimage should have been well placed.
Despite the absence of John Rowlands the field event specialist performed well, especially in the throws where Carl Gee and Andy Fulton combined effectively. Carl was fourth in the discus (34.11 metres) and shot, while Andy Fulton finished third and second in the 'B' competition of the same events, producing a good putt in the latter of 33ft.
He also went on to finish third javelin while Mike Teahan produced a best throw (45.70 metres) to win the 'B' event.
While the jumpers, with the exception of Brian McGrath in the high jump and Geoff Davies in the long jump, were having a poor day the track athletes were losing more points. Bob Warburton fresh from inter-counties success the previous day in the 800 metres failed to stay the pace over 1500.
In the 200 metres Mike Teahan and Pete Lewis ran well but found the competition of excellent quality, Pete being best placed third in the 'B' race. Bob Brimage and Gwyn Griffiths also had poor runs in the 5,000 metres although they were no doubt exhausted after the endeavours in the steeplechase only an hour earlier.
In the final events the relays the Wallasey teams did well to finish third in both the 100 metre and 400 metre events. Pete Lewis producing an outstanding third leg on the latter recording 49.9 sec. in bringing the team up to second place.
Today there is an inter club at Sale when a good track will give athletes a chance of some good times.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 10/07/1971
Ref 1582