In the women's inter-counties cross-country championships at Arrowe Park, two Wallasey athletes helped the Cheshire senior team to a first ever win.
Both Barbara Banks and Lynn Carter from the local club finished in the first 10 of their respective races. Barbara, the county captain, led the team home in fifth position after being well placed throughout the 4,500 metre race, but never looked like beating the winner B. Cardy (Worcester), who recorded 17 mins. 14 secs. ahead of Northern Champion, J. Lochead (Yorkshire) who led most of the way, finishing in 17 mins. 33 secs. It was unquestionably Barbara's best race since her six-month holiday, recording 17 mins. 55 secs. She can look forward to a good run in the national cross-country championship next month.
Next home for Cheshire was Jane Perry (Wirral A.C.) also a track and cross-country international, who has recently suffered a troublesome tendon injury but appears to be recovered. She took ninth place, Cheshire's third runner was Jill Poyner one of the young Stretford A.C. runners who have made the club such a force this season.
Wallasey's Margaret Ashcroft completed the successful quartet in 17th position in 18 min. 52 secs., an improvement on last season's placing and confirming her recent form. Janice Watts, Wallasey A.C.'s third competitor in the race missed the glory of being in the winning team as she was representing Lancashire, who were fifth, with Janice as the third counter in 26th place. Next week Wallasey men's team take part in the West Lancashire Championships at Sherdley Park, St. Helens. The senior event of nine miles is a formidable distance likely to worry many of the athletes more suited to the shorter races. In the junior men's race over six miles, Bob Brimage is expected to be in the first three after his startling run in the inter-counties championships last week. North Wales youth's cross-country champion, Gwyn Griffiths, should also gain a high placing in his race over three miles.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 29/01/1972
Ref 1610