On Saturday, for the second time in its history, the Wallasey Allotment Garden Association annual show took place in Central Park. The weather could not be more fittingly described than by the word "ideal". The kindness of the Parks Committee was fully appreciated the exhibition was a good one, the sports were interesting, and everything was gratifying except the attendance. Certainly there was a large crowd, but it was not by any means as large as it should have been.
THE SPORTS. - LARGE ENTRY.
Emboldened no doubt by the success which attended the sports held at the initial outdoor show last summer, the Committee this year arranged quite a lengthy programme of 14 events, and were rewarded with an entry of no less 246 competitors. The sports were also registered with N.C.A.A.
These being the first registered sports ever held in the Park by this Association. A start was made, shortly before 3 o'clock. when there was a large number of spectators around the rails. As in the case of most bodies who are new to sports' promotion, however, the arrangements left much to be desired in the direction of keeping the enclosure private. Then, in the early stages, had it not been for Captain Harry Archibald it is quite possible the whole thing would have been chaotic. He marked out practically the whole of the ground, and rendered valuable assistance during the afternoon. The 100 yards' boys' race attracted 18 youngsters, and the prize was carried off by J. Willis-Thwaite, with W. Bransome a good second. Many well known Liverpool & District runners competed in the open sprint, and about 40 turned out.
W. B. Taylor proved the victor after an exciting struggle with T. H. Harkness. Taylor's time was 10 1-5 seconds. The costume race was extremely ludicrous, and hearty laughter prevailed at the time the competitors were turning and returning the ladies' dresses in order to find the proper entrances. The 220 yards final resolved itself into a stern struggle between W. P. Taylor, the Sefton Harriers man, and L. O. Donoghue, of Liverpool. The race was eventually declared a dead heat by the judges, whose decision came in for particularly severe and just comment. The two judges who were officiating at the moment agreed that the result was a dead heat, although it was apparent to anybody, not only those who have had experience of sports, but to the most casual outsider, as well as to the camera, which produced a fine picture of the finish, that Donoghue was home easily. This, naturally, was the view of one of the most experienced athletic judges on the field, Mr. Wilkinson, who at the time, was acting as referee, but he was of course, powerless to interfere, inasmuch as had already been pointed out, the ideas of the two judges concurred. In the decider, Taylor won by half a yard. The obstacle race resolved itself into an easy victory for Mr. G. H. T. Hislop, with G. McGuire just ahead of J. M. Cook for second place. The interval now arrived, and referring to the programme, the following notice was observed: "Interval, Mr. W. T. Clarke, the Liverpool Marathon runner, will run two miles exhibition race." Shortly before this, however, Mr. J. Birchall received the following telegram: "Birchall, Wallasey Amateur Gardeners' Sports; exhibition by Clarke irregular. Merlin." This item therefore had to be abandoned. It was explained by one of the A.A.A. representatives, that when the sports programme had been sent up for sanction there was no mention in it of the exhibition, and it was contrary to the rules to insert it afterwards therefore the telegram was sent. Clarke, however turned out for the mile and received hearty ovation. He, however, could get no nearer than a good sixth, the race going to S. K. Hayward, of Chester; H. Waring of Sefton Harriers, being second, and G. A. Walker, West Cheshire Harriers, third. Hayward's time was 4 min. 26 2-5 sec. Clarke's performance was a good one, when it is considered there were 50 entrants.
The quarter-mile local handicap was won easily by the Wallasey Harriers representative, A. G. Nicholson, H. Lewney and H. R. Scoins (Homecroft) being second and third respectively. A popular event was the half mile team race for boys for the "Kiernan Shield." D. Stevenson, of the Navy League, ran strongly and finished first, with Eric Figuiredo, Manor-road second. The Navy League boys were placed first, with 10 points. Immediately after the result was declared, strong partisans of defeated schools were quickly threatening protests on the ground that the conditions attaching to the trophy had not been complied with, because the Navy League was not an "elementary school."
This however is not correct. The Navy League is emphatically an elementary school, having the same subjects, hours, teachers, etc, while another fact, is that a grant, of £300 a year js made to the school by the Government. The majority of the spectators however, heartily cheered the lads on their well-deserved victory.
WINNERS.
The following is a list of results:-
100 Yards Flat Handicap for Boys. - Heat 1 : N. L. Askew (12 yds.); 2. J. L. Pipe (8 yds.). Heat 2: 1, J. W. Thwaite (16 yds.); 2, W. Bransome (16 yds.). Heat 3 : 1, J. Crean (4 yds.); 2, B. C. Amer (20 yds.). Final : 1, J. W. Thwaite; 2, W. Bransome; 3, J. Crean; 4, N. L. Askew; consolation, B. C. Amer.
100 Yards Flat Handicap (open).- Heat winners: N. E. Jenkins, Pembroke Harriers (5½ yds.); W. D. Taylor, Sefton Harriers (3½ yds.); G. L. Warburton, West Cheshire Harriers (7½ yds.); T. H. Harkness, Liverpool H. & A.C. (9 yds.); L. Yewdall, Southport H. & A.C. (7½ yds.); J. Rimmer, unattached (7¾ yds.) and T. A. Crellin, Liverpool H. & A.C . (7¾ yds.). Final : 1, W. D. Taylor; 2, T. H. Harkness; 3, J. Rimmer. Won by half a yard, foot. Time 10 1.5 sec.
100 Yards' Costume Race. 1, G. H. T. Hislop (Seacombe); 2, W. S. Brookes (Homecroft); 3, G. Booth (Seacombe).
220 Yards' Flat Handicap (open). Heat winners : L. O. Donoghue, Liverpool (18 yds.); W. B. Taylor, Sefton H. (3 yds.); N. B. Jenkins, Pembroke H. (10½ yds.), P. Cooney, Liverpool H. and A.C. (16½ yds.); R. E. Collin, Liverpool (10 yds). Final: W. B. Taylor and L. O. Donoghue, dead heat; 3. P. Cooney. Decided: Taylor beat Donoghue by half a yard.
440 Yards' Obstacle Race (local) - 1, G. H. T. Hislop; 2, G. McGuire; 3, P. M. Cook. Won easily.
440 Yards' Flat Handicap (local). - 1, A. G. Nicholson, Wallasey H. (scratch); 2, H. P. Lewney, Homecroft (28 yds.); 3, H. R. Scoins, Homecroft (22 yds).
Girls' Skipping Rope Race. - 1. M. Thomas (12 yds.); 2, R. Amer (12 yds.); 3, E. A. Thwaite (4 yds.); 4, F. M. Baker (12 yds.); consolation, C. Adams (4 yds.).
Half-mile team race for "Kiernan" Challenge Shield.-1, Navy league, 10 points (D. Stevenson 1); 2, Manor-road (E. Figureido 2); 3, Riverside (holders); 4, Somerville.
One Mile Flat Handicap (open). - 1, S. K. Hayward, Chester (108 yds.); 2. H. Waring, Sefton H. (109 yds.): 3, G. A. Walker, West Cheshire Harriers (86 yds.).
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 22/08/1908
Ref 2888