The indoor track season ended on a high note for Pete Jones last Saturday.
Running in the under-20 championships at R.A.F. Cosford, he again improved his own personal best performance and set a new indoor club record for the event.
Narrowly failing in a late attempt to secure first place he finished the two laps, 400 metre's in 52.9 seconds. After his winter 'peak' he now rests for one or two weeks and hopes to carry the suc-cess of his winter programme into the summer track season.
A sharp contrast was in store for the few club members representing their school in the Northern Schools Championships.
The course was one of mud with steep and long climbs quite different from anything encountered so far in their athletic career. When one considers the fact that these championships involve many schools in the whole of the north, then performances are quite good.
Alan Smith, a new member of the club and Rick Hemmings, represented Mosslands Senior Comprehensive School and Dave Southern represented Oldershaw Comprehensive in the first race for the intermediate boys. Alan ran extremely well to finish in 130th position ahead of the recent flu victim Rick who finished 176th. Dave only managed 216th, but even this was well into the first half of the field.
Nick Robinson, Mosslands, ran much better than expected in the: boys' age group race and finished a creditable 91st whilst in the senior race, Rod Dixon, also from Mosslands ran another extremely good race and finished in 57th position.
Credit should be given to both Mosslands and Oldershaw Schools for both encouraging cross-country running and entering teams for the various school events.
They appear to be the only schools in Wallasey showing an active interest in the sport. I only hope that the interest carries on through the track and field season.
This Sunday, club members will be travelling to compete on the new 'tartan' track in Stretford. This rubber track should provide some good performances and give further encouragement for the coming track season.
Would all members please note that the club's annual meeting will be on Friday, April 9th, at the Claremont Road Methodist Church, top of Sandy Lane, commencing 7.30 p.m. The return basketball match asked for by Wirral A.C. members due to their defeat last time, ended in another success for Wallasey Athletic Club.
Any readers wishing information about the athletic club should refer to the Wallasey News week-ending March 13th or phone Doug Hanna on 638 0296.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 27/03/1976 by D.H.
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