Members of Wallasey A.C. gained 2 firsts, 4 seconds, and 3 thirds in the annual Cheshire County athletic championships at Port Sunlight on Saturday.
Having been under medical advice for many weeks, there was some doubt whether Len Platt, W.A.C. star sprinter and long jumper, would be able to produce his best. However, his strenuous afternoon's work (which included winning the long jump (20ft. 8ins) and taking 4th place in the 100 yards, culminated in a victory in the hop, step and jump with the excellent figure of 43 ft. 10½ ins., better than the A.A.A.'s standard for this event.
Ray Owen gained a creditable second place in the discus event with a throw of 103 ft. 3 ins., while Matt Smith won a third place in the high jump (5ft. 3ins.) and a second place in the pole vault (9 ft.) His unlucky club mate Ted Bollard spiked himself a few days before the championships and was unable to compete.
Bollard and Denis Kelly start their national service this month.
Barney Kivlin travelled from Oldham for the championships but was short of training and had to concede both his 120 and 440 yards hurdles titles, Bob Fullerton, who is running strongly again this year, finished third in the junior 440 yds. event. As he gains experience and concentrates on his best distance, this young runner will turn in good times.
In the women's events, Penny Price was beaten by inches in the final of the 100 yards dash after stumbling. A fall also put Mary Currie out of the running in her heat in the same race. Margaret Collings took third place in the 100 yds. final. Mavis Ashworth lost her high jump title to a newcomer from Wirral A.C.
A welcome visitor to W.A.C.'s track last week was Alan Pennington the ex-Olympic sprinter, who is back in Wallasey after an absence of several years. His coaching was much appreciated by the young athletes, whose great need is the technical knowledge and confidence that can only come from expert instruction.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 10/06/1950 by E.C.F.
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