Wallasey Athletic Club met their 'Waterloo' last Saturday when, with 25 points in hand, they visited Chaffers track, Crosby, for the fifth and final fixture of the Merseyside Track and Field League.
Last minute cry-offs left Wallasey short of depth in two of the men's sections, but even so, they were expected to hold on to their aggregate lead and so take the league trophy at the first attempt.
The 'Reds' started the meeting well, and were sharing points with Waterloo and Pilkingtons throughout the first half, when first the Boys' and then the Seniors' 4 x 220 yards relay teams were disqualified by the same judge within the space of five minutes. This double blow left Wallasey 'one point' short of the home club after the final event. With faces to match their vests, they had only the consolation of being outright winners in two of the four men's sections and one of the three women's sections.
The final figures show the following positions in each section (first three only):-
Boys.-Waterloo 208, Liverpool 143, Pilks 136.
Youths.-Wallasey 255, Pilks 154, Waterloo 151.
Juniors. - Wallasey 206, Waterloo 155, Pilks 151.
Seniors. - Waterloo 256, Wallasey 210, Liverpool 194.
Aggregate totals (men's sections): - Waterloo 770 pts., Wallasey 769, Liverpool 544, Pilks 520, Wirral 258, Pembroke 162, Sefton 56.
WOMEN
Girls.-Wallasey 125, Liverpool 121, Pilks 83.
A cross-section of the men's side of the club will be trying for county titles at Hartford (Crewe) today. Events will be held according to entries received.
It appears highly improbable that anyone in Cheshire could match Dave Lockley in the 2,000 metres steeplechase, but a poor entry for this (and other events) will deprive Dave and others of a chance to call themselves 'County Champion'.
A situation like this in the senior events leaves the selectors with the unenviable task of searching the clubs and universities for athletes having reached the inter-counties standards.
Whilst his club mates are involved in county matters, Ian Wilson will be trying his hand at his first Pentathlon, the Northern Counties Pentathlon, at Kirkby Stadium.
Ian has to run 100 metres, followed by high jump, long jump, shot and 400 metres in one afternoon.
We know his ability in track events and he is no slouch when it comes to high jump and shot, but his long jump is his weak link and may keep him out of the placings.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Friday, 17/05/1968 by Discobolus
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