There are probably few cross-country racing clubs which can look back on past achievements with greater pride than Sefton Harriers.
The present generation would have difficulty in recalling a single occasion on which this consistently successful club has fielded a team which could be in any way described as 'weak.' And on Saturday last, when the Wallasey Athletic Club visited West Derby to try conclusions with the Sefton men in a six miles race, they found the opposition to be as strong as it has ever been.
Owing to a hitch in the home club's arrangements, it was not possible for a trail to be laid, and the Wallasey men were, therefore, dependent on their rivals' fastest men for guidance-over a course to which they were complete strangers. This one blot on the afternoon's sport did not, however, seriously inconvenience anyone, as the leaders of the Sefton team were quite fast enough to show the way to the rest of the pack without danger of the latter catching colds waiting about! Two 'whips' followed the race to ensure that stragglers did not go astray.
The course was in excellent condition and an absence of serious obstacles made the going a good deal faster than the Wallasey A.C. members were used to, with the result that, while Richardson and Ledward experienced little difficulty in staying at the head of the column, the rest of the team found themselves outpaced by rivals long accustomed to the local conditions. Sefton consequently collared the honours of the meeting, but they actually found that it was no walk-over, despite the margin of points in their favour, as the Wallasey team were always sufficiently 'on the premises' to threaten danger in the event of any slackening in the hot pace set.
W. R. Richardson once again demonstrated his capabilities, and within sight of the finish it looked as if he would carry off the individual honours; he spurted too soon, however, and R. Mount, of Sefton, who had been hanging determinedly on his heels, took the opportunity offered and scored a narrow victory in the run-in.
Rodgers and Pimblett were too fast for F. K. Ledward, who had to be content with 5th place. H. Jones improved considerably on his recent performances and must have run very hard indeed to finish in front of Band, Edwards and Ambrose, though it must be confessed that the last-named ran below his best form. No such aspersion can be cast on Edwards' performance, however, as, although he was without the advantage of a race on the previous Saturday, his running was a model of consistency, and he should, later in the season, be capable of defying the handicappers in the club races which are to come.
W. G. Williams provided the biggest surprise of the afternoon by failing to get his name on the final results sheet; as a general rule this long-striding runner can be depended upon to be 'amongst those present'' when the finishing line heaves into sight and he must have been badly off colour to have allowed six of his club-mates to finish in front of him.
Results. - Sefton: 1, M. Mount; 3, F. Rodgers; 4, H. Pimblett; 6, R. G. Jones; 7, A. E. Roberts; 8, G. Searle. Total 29 points.
Wallasey: 2, W. R. Richardson; 5, F. K, Ledward; 10, H. Jones; 12, G. M. Band; 14, J. Edwards; 15, F. G. Ambrose. Total, 58 points.
It should be noted that although about 40 runners took part in the race, the Wallasey men numbered only 11.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Wednesday, 15/11/1933
Ref 1775