In the schools relay race organised by Wallasey Athletic Club's Lynn Carter set a new course record for the under 14s defeating the other girls on the first leg by nearly half a minute.
Once again the entry for these races was high with competition from all over Wirral. All the races were of three stages, each just over one mile long. The largest entry of 22 teams competed in the, under 14 girls race, which was won fairly convincingly by Withensfield leading throughout (Carter, 5m 56s; Rivers, 6m 28s; Higginson 6.07). Behind was Park High School and Wallasey High School, who eventually gained third place after a close battle with Prenton High School.
In the over 14 years section Wallasey High School were always dominant with three local top runners leading 'from the gun' (Lloyd 6.02, Kidd 5.52, Horobin 7.24) with Wallasey Technical School and Upton Hall Convent having a close battle for second place, the latter eventually gaining the decision due to a fine run by Edwards (5m 48s.) on the final leg.
The boys' races were dominated by Wirral Grammar School who led both sections throughout. The under 14 race was, however, very close, the Wirral team (Strocham 5.22, Shorttle 5.42, Smith 5.27) being given a winning margin of less than a second from St. Thomas Beckett School, only seconds adrift in third place.
The over 14 race was only slightly easier (Currie 4.46, Lawson 5.04, Preston 4.40) being followed throughout by both Calday Grange Grammar 'A' and 'B' teams. Course record and fastest lap of the day went to Stanley of St. Mary's School, in 4.36 an excellent time.
In the women's county championships all the Wallasey Athletic Club girls ran to and above form, three being selected to run for their counties. Most outstanding run was by Margaret Ashcroft who, after nearly six months out of athletics, returned to competition with a fine third place in the Cheshire Championships, held at Sale. Margaret was less than a minute behind the winner, Barbara Banks, who retained her title for the third year from G. Poyner (Stretford A.C.). With the return of Mary Caldwell to the the team from London for the race, and the determined runnlng of her sister Wallasey A.C. had no difficulty in retaining the team title from Alsager College and Warrington A.C.
In the Lancashire Championships, Janice Watts finished fourth, despite falling, giving her a place in the county team, and a chance of running in the inter-counties championships, which will be at Arrowe Park this year.
In the junior race Lynn Carter finished a good 15th despite running in a higher age group, one wonders at the wisdom of allowing her to run above minors races.
The intermediate team ran well, Sue Lloyd, running well this season finished 13th, closely followed by Christine Horobin, Julie Halfpenny and Julie Kidd, giving the team second place behind Sale Harriers.
In the men's section Bob Brimage produced an outstanding performance in the second Liverpool & District League race at Warrington finishing 12th, an improvement from the 30th in the first race of the series.
If Bob can maintain this form he may well be challenging for a place in the county team.
Also improving was Mike Teahan who finished 29th well up on his last performance, and Gwyn Griffiths 48th.
Today the men's team will be competing in the H. S. Finney Championships at Morecambe. A strong team should be available with Dave Lockley, Dave Lindsay and Phil Wealthy, all rested from competition in preparation.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 04/12/1971
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