The Mayor (Alderman A. W. Vicary Scoins), has consented to become a patron of the Wallasey Athletic Club. Such a practical demonstration of his interest in local sport and athletics is very encouraging to those members who for several years have been working hard to build up a really strong team and do something to restore Wallasey's one-time supremacy in Merseyside athletics.
All friends and members of the club accord to the Mayor a very hearty welcome and hope that his association with them will be a long and active one.
Last Saturday, Wallasey A.C's team travelled to St. Helens Junction for their fixtures with Sutton, Liverpool Boundary, Waterloo and Leyland Motors. The race was contested over a three-lap course, the total distance being about 8 miles. As anticipated the home side proved too strong for their rivals and they were successful in packing the first six men home.
The visitors, however, have no cause to be disheartened at the result. Sutton Harriers are the West Lancashire Cross-Country Champions and probably the strongest club in the North of England. Their team included three international runners in addition to several other members who have done well in local championships.
Moreover the nature of the course told against the visiting clubs. At least three-quarters of each lap consisted of plough-land and after the recent rains the going was very heavy. At times the runners sank as much as 16 inches in the mud. Sutton were naturally accustomed to such conditions and this factor was an incalculable advantage.
In the absence of several leading runners, Wallasey A. C. had no cause for discouragement at the result of the race. After an exciting struggle, they finished third, close behind Boundary Harriers. J. Edwards gave his usual fine display. On the first lap he was well up with the leaders and for a considerable distance he kept in fourth position. The strenuous course, however, finally told upon him and he was forced to fall back several places. On the last lap he was overtaken by his clubmate, N. Marples. The two Wallasey men finished together and had the distinction of being the first visitors home. Marples' performance WAS particularly noteworthy. He ran magnificently to come up from 20th place at the end of the first lap to within striking distance of the leaders. This young runner has certainly returned to his very best form and there is every reason to expect on this showing that he will make a bold bid for the West Lancashire Junior Championship.
Another praiseworthy effort for Wallasey was made by J. Whittingham, who ran very pluckily to finish 6th in his team. Broster and Williams also did well considering the opposition and the fact that there were in all over 70 runners out.
Results. - Sutton: J. Williams 1, A Tyrer 2, D. Edgar 3, R. McMinnis 4, T. Lees 5, J. Fillingham 6: total 21 points.
Boundary: D. Fletcher 12, E Cole 14, J. Onions 16, E. Craine 18, J. Dutton 23, H. Adelsberg 24: total 107 points.
Wallasey: N. Marples 9, J. Edwards 10, K. Broster 23, J. Davis 27, J. Williams 30. J. Whittingham 33: total 137 points.
Waterloo: 164 points; Leyland 179 points.
To-day, Wallasey A. C. hold their New Year Handicap race, starting from the clubhouse at 3.15. In view of the approaching championships, it is important that every active member should be out, for at this stage of the season hard training is essential if Wallasey A. C. is to achieve its ambition of carrying off a West Lancashire trophy. That junior team certainly appears capable of doing it.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 15/01/1938
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