First full scale track and field championship of Wallasey Athletic Club were held at the Leasowe Road Playing Fields last Saturday afternoon, From the club's 200 members there were over 120 entries in 27 events, and a full afternoon's sport ranging from sprints to the pole vault and the hop step and jump,was enjoyed by the competitors and spectators.
A comparative newcomer to club athletics, Ian Platt, must be ran considered the outstanding discovery of the track season. He produced the two best performances to win first place silver medal both the track and field events. His 100 yards in 10.3 secs., and his 220 yards in 23.8 secs., each earned him more points than Denis Dickinson's mile in 4.47, which gained a second place bronze medal, while in the field events Platt's jump of 21 ft 8 ins. and his hop, skip and jump of 43 ft 2 ins. were each better than Matt Smith's high jump of 5 ft. 4 ins., which also gained a bronze medal. Platt passed 4 club standards in winning his four events, whilst Smith and Denis Dickinson each passed three standards and won three events. Ray Owen, the young pentathlon athlete passed six standards and won two events.
Of the junior athletes (aged under 19) Tony Lancaster's 100 yards in 11 secs. won the track silver medal with Ray Fullerton's 220 yards in 25 secs. as next best.
Of the women Penny Price's 100 yards in 11.3 secs, won the silver medal and Mavis Ashworth's high jump of 4 ft. 5 ins. won the bronze medal.
The Brookes' award given each year by Mrs. W. S. Brookes, in memory of her husband, who was for many years a prominent club .member and local athlete, was presented by the donor's son and club vice-president, Mr. Bill Brookes to Tony Lancaster who gained 1107 points, with John Hawkley second (1021) and Ron Hawkins third (1003) in the annual competition for juniors consisting of the 220 yards, throwing the javelin and the high jump.
The track season has now ended, and the club meets at the winter headquarters in the Girl Guide Association premises in Leasowe Road (just below the railway bridge) on Monday and Wednesday evenings and on Saturday afternoons in preparation for the cross-country season.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 03/09/1949 by E.C.F.
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