Cheshire, among one of the also rans in cross-country sounded a warning to Lancashire, the holders of the Daily Telegraph Inter-Counties title, at Keswick on Saturday when they dominated both the individual and team races in the 10-mile Derwentwater Road Race
In fact, so tight a hold did Wallasey have on the team event that had their third man, John Wright (6), failed to finish, Kevin Mather, in 21st place, would still have ensured victory.
Martin Cranny, from Wirral. was also close to the leaders, but he bided his time, first letting Peter Hall cut out the early pace and then, having enough confidence to let Dennis Hopkinson open a big gap at the four-mile mark.
Hopkinson blew up and finished limping with Achilles tendon trouble and Cranny drew away comfortably to beat the challenge of Wallasey's first man, Ron Barlow by 100 yards.
Barlow's team-mate, Brian Woolford, came through the field late as did Fred Howe (Blackpool), who dropped into fourth place just behind Woolford.
Results:
M. A. Cranny .(Wirral) 49min. 31sec., 1; R. Barlow (Wallasey) 49m. 59s., 2; B. Woolford (Wallasey) 50m. 21s., 3; F. Howe (Blackpool) 50m. 29s., 4; P. Montague (M. & D.) 50m. 32s., 5; J. Wright (Wallasey) 50m. Teams: Wallasey 11pts., 1; Barrow 2; Blackpool 30pt
Ends
Source - Daily Telegraph - Monday, 29/10/1962 by Peter Keeling
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