Last Saturday 117 boys and girls took part in a track meeting promoted by Moreton Athletic Club at the Lingham Lane running track.
Some secondary schools were conspicuous by their absence but this did not deter those that took part and the spectators who braved the inclement weather were given an afternoon of exciting running. Of the six relays that took place, Oldershaw won a lion's share of four, with the Technical schools in close attendance. The under-14 boys' event was a closely fought race with Oldershaw winners in 53.5 secs. from Technical boys (54.6 secs.) and Moreton S.M. third (58.5). Oldershaw won the under-16 race (49.7) with Tech again in second place in 50.6 secs., but the order was reversed in the over-16 event with the Tech recording 47.4 to Oldershaw's 48.8.
The first of the girls' relays, the under-14, went to Oldershaw in 57 secs. with Tech second (58.4), Somerville 3rd (60.8), Moreton S.M. fourth (61.2) and Wallasey High School fifth (62). The girls' under-16 relay provided what was perhaps the slickest baton changing of the afternoon and the Tech girls afternoon went on to win comfortably in 55.2 secs. from Oldershaw (57), Moreton S.M. (57.2), Somerville (59.2) and W.H.S. (60.2). The final relay, the over-16 girls, went to Oldershaw in 56-5 with Tech girls 2nd (56.8) and Maris Stella 3rd (57.1).
The first race of the open events was the boys' under-16 one-mile and it was no surprise when Dave Lockley, who has already a time of 4 mins. 41 secs. to his credit this season, won with a creditable 4 mins. 51.2 secs. from improving Ray Kay, who ran a personal best time of 4 mins 54.8. John Jones (4 mins. 57.5 secs.) was 3rd, with Les Watcham in 4th place in 5 mins. 9 secs. The over-16 mile resulted in a win for Barrie Smith (4 mins. 51.5 secs.), who had nearly five seconds to spare over S. Sharp (4 mins. 55.2 secs.), with Alan Keating recording 4 mins. 56.5 in 3rd- position.
In the girls' under-16 half mile, J. Wood won comfortably in 2 mins. 55.5 secs. with W. Frith 2nd (2 mins. 58.4 secs.) and K. Conroy 3rd with 3 mins. 14.9 secs. The over-16 race gave spectators plenty to shout about with a keenly fought race which Barbara Banks just won from Margaret Ashcroft in a personal best time of 2 mins. 37.6 secs. Margaret did 2 mins. 38.4 secs. and Jennifer Steadman was 3rd with a creditable 2 mins. 45.5 secs. The boys' under-16 880 yards proved a tactical triumph for Ian Wilson, who trailed a tired Dave Lockley for the best part of the race before sprinting away in the home straight to win in 2 mins. 14.2 secs.. Dave was 2nd in 2 mins.15 secs. and Les Watcham ran in to third place with 2 mins. 17.4 secs. The last race of the afternoon was most exciting, with John Adamson doing all the donkey work, only to be passed by Mike Teahan, going like the wind to win in 2 mins. 6.6 secs., with John 2nd (2 mins. 9.8 secs.) and Barrie Smith 3rd (2 mins. 16.8 secs.).
Ron Barlow, perhaps better known as a distance or cross-country runner, turned to the open mile event in the Melbourne Trophy meeting at Kirkby last Saturday and won the race with 4 mins. 20.1 secs. This was part of his build up for the Inter-Counties 6-mile race in London at Whitsun and shows he is not lacking speed.
As in 1964, there has been an unfortunate clash of dates with the Wallasey schools and the county both holding their championships on the same day. This will rob some 15 athletes of a chance to compete in the County meeting at Winnington Park (as schools have a prior claim on them) and entries from Wallasey will naturally be limited.
It is hoped that in future liaison between the schools and the local A.A.A.s advisers will eliminate this clash and so give those concerned a chance to compete in both meetings.
Next Monday evening at 8 p.m. the club are to show the film of the 1962 Empire and Commonwealth games (in sound and colour) at their H.Q. in Leasowe Road, and all members and friends of any age will be welcome.
On Tuesday, Wallasey A.C. will be engaged in the Liverpool Parks inter-club competition at Wavertree Park. Wallasey finished 3rd in this meeting last year and it is hoped that we can improve on this position next week.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Friday, 28/05/1965 by DISCOBOLUS
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