The girls of Wallasey Athletic Club said they were going to Stoke to win last Saturday, and that is exactly what they did.
It was mud, wind and rain all the way in the Parks and Gardens annual women s cross-country races - conditions in which the Wallasey girls seem to produce their best results.
A long delay at the start, in the cold and miserable conditions, dissipated what little enthusiasm was left among the starters of the senior race, but it was somewhat restored by the announcement that a huntsman would act as running marker.
This novel situation, and the amusement caused by the sounding of the horn, just after the start, allowed everyone to relax and settle down to the business in hand.
After a quarter of a mile, when the course led out of the park and into the country, Wallasey girls had made a stand at the front of the field, Barbara Banks leading with Janice Watts and Sylvia Brimage close behind.
After a stony path the course led over a very marshy field and uphill over firm ground, round a slag heap, and back the same way.
Barbara held on to the lead and won in 16 minutes 32 seconds from Angela Lovell (Birchfield), 16 minutes 5 seconds. Janice finished only five seconds behind third place.
The team total of 17 points was three points clear of Redditch. To make the victory even more impressive, Mary Caldwell, Suzanne Kew and Margaret Caldwell came among the leaders.
Sadly, the club could not produce these numbers in the intermediate event but Susan Lloyd and Anne Edwards were keen enough to take part without the benefit of team support. They had an exciting battle and Anne finally pipped Susan on the post. They finished in 9th and 10th positions.
Back in Wallasey the men were training hard in preparation tor the track season.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 15/04/1972
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