Wallasey Athletic Club competed in the Lever Trophy meeting at The Oval, Port Sunlight, on Saturday, August 9, and although well below strength owing to holidays, etc., the members present acquitted themselves well.
The Junior Mile team race saw a thrilling finish between R. Montague of Manchester & District Lads' Club and Ron Barlow of Wallasey, who did all the front running for the last three laps, only to be passed by Montague 20 yards from the tape. Montague returned the excellent time of 4 mins. 19.2 secs, with Ron hot on his heels in 4 mins. 19.5 secs., his best mile time to date. Brian Chalton and Phil Townsend completed the team which filled third place.
In the senior competition Carl Gee won the discus with 114 ft., while in the two-mile team race Ron Barlow was again first man home for Wallasey in fifth place, with an off-form John Wright and Brian Woolford close behind in tenth and twelfth positions respectively. The team gained fourth position. Maurice Price, making a rare appearance in the 100 yards, ran well in his heat and better still in the final. In a 'blanket' finish he was placed fifth with J. Oxton of the Wirral AC. and Dewi Roberts, the Welsh international, taking the major honours in 10 secs. flat.
Last Saturday the Liverpool City marathon was run over the usual distance of 26 miles 385 yards, and of the 70 starters four were from Wallasey A.C., namely Frank Ledward, Bob McCaig, John Winrow and Ray Scammell. Of these, the latter three ran with the intention of using the race as a 'test run' for future marathons and not being used to the longer distance, dropped out at ten miles, whilst Frank Ledward went on to finish the course in 3 hrs. 30 mins. Frank, who is now 53 years old, an age when most men consider 26 miles too far by bus, must be congratulated on completing this feat of endurance. Also held last Saturday was an inter-district match between Port Sunlight & District and Sale & District. Wallasey's two representatives in this match were both winners. Ron Barlow winning the 880 yds. in 2 mins. and Carl Gee the shot with 37 ft 4 ins, and the discus with a personal best of 121 ft 6ins. The match resulted in a comfortable win for the home team.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 23/08/1958 by C.W.G.
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