The efforts of Wallasey Athletic Club were divided last weekend between Winsford where the boys were taking part in the Cheshire Road Relays, and Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, where the girls were having a battle over the country in the first of three Northern Cross-Country League races.
These races were introduced a few years ago in order to provide competition in the pre-championship season. They have always amounted to more or less rehearsals of the Northern Championship itself and provide a very good guide as to how the season will develop. Unfortunately, Wallasey could only field a full team in the senior race of almost three and a half miles.
Janice Watts was our first lady home in fourth position, a very encouraging run after a successful and improved summer of track racing.
Sylvia Brimage, who is coming very quickly back to form after a long lay-off was the third counter in 22nd place, and Audrey Mackay, at last making her regular training show significantly finished 31st to complete the team. Audrey could well be in the low 20's before the end of the season. The positions were totalled and Wallasey emerged third, only 17 points from the leaders Stretford, and well within striking distance.
Helen Taylor was placed 35th out of a very large field, and could well have been higher up had she not had to queue up at one time to pass through a narrow gate.
The boys' championships were held at Winsford, with Wallasey entering a team of boys and two senior teams.
Only four clubs entered the boys' relay, four times one and a half miles, and eight clubs entered the senior relay, six times three miles. After much controversy Wallasey only took the boys' team.
Due to the illness of one of the team, a last minute substitution had to be made, and the team was lucky to get Ian Parsons to run the third leg of the relay. This was the first time that this boys' team have competed in a relay event for us, and, although finishing in third place, showed evidence of being a strong cross-country team.
First leg was run by Brendan Kelly, who returned a time of seven minutes and 56 seconds. Second leg was run by Dave Gray, he returned the fastest lap of the day of seven minutes 29 seconds.
This lap also saw the fastest time of the day by L. Hitchin of Winsford A.C. six minutes 53 seconds.
Third leg was run by Ian Parsons, who was not prepared for the race, but still returned a good time of eight minutes 31 seconds, and lost one place with about 400 yards to the lap end.
L. Jones ran the last leg, pulling back the place lost in the previous lap and returning our second fastest time of the day with seven minutes 45 seconds.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 21/10/1972
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