Wallasey had a dismal afternoon in the West Lancashire Championships at Newton-le-Willows last Saturday, and they failed to gain a place in any of the races.
The youth's team was particularly disappointing, for it had been confidently expected that it would be well up with the leaders. However, possibly due to its lack of racing experience it failed to do itself justice. Save for Andrews who did quite well to finish 19th, the Wallasey runners were well out of the picture. The race was won by W. H. Marsh, of Pembroke Harriers, a comparatively unknown runner. He came on to the track at the end of the three-mile course running very strongly and well ahead of T. Fillingham, the Sutton youths' champion, who had been considered almost a certainty for the title. Sutton regained the team award, however, their last success being in 1933.
The junior race over 6 miles provided an easy victory for J. Hull, of Pilkington Rec. who was never seriously challenged for the honours. The Wallasey runners had some excuse for their poor display, W. Davey was not able to turn out, and the team, with one man short, had no incentive to run hard. Nevertheless N. I. Marples and B. Grisdale did not do badly to come in together 22nd out of a field of 120. They were moving easily at the finish and could without difficulty have made up several places if they had gone all out. Team honours went to Warrington A. C. who broke a long sequence of Sutton victories.
The senior race over 9 miles provided a thrilling climax. A fast pace was set by A. Williams (Sutton) the well-known Welsh international. On the first two laps he was closely pressed by Norman Jones of Pembroke but over the last three miles he managed to get away to win well from his club-mate. D. Edgar, the Civil Services Champion, with Jones a good third.
The Wallasey A.C, team, still seriously depleted by the absence of several leading runners, had not expected any success in this race. The pace was a bit too hot for J. Edwards, who did not show his best form, and could only finish 29th. Second for Wallasey, W. Richardson was well down the list in the 67th position. A word of praise for W. Williams, who, called upon at the last moment, ran pluckily though out of training, to finish fifth for the team.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 12/02/1938
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