Club Race Reports Season 1955-1956
Liverpool & District XC Union
Round 1 - Race 3 - Old Roan, Aintree - 22/10/1955 - Senior Men
Last Saturday, Wallasey Athletic Club, together with Liverpool Harriers were entertained by Liverpool Boundary to the first cross-country league fixture of the season.
It resulted in a win for Liverpool Harriers as was expected with Wallasey second and Boundary taking the third place. The course extended for six miles over the Aintree countryside and road but was unfortunately poorly marked, causing a few runners to lose their way several times.
Ian McIvor surprised all by finishing in 5th place, a good performance considering he is only a junior. The first four places were obtained by Liverpool Harrier's runners. The second counter for Wallasey was John Lynch, who attained ninth position, followed by John Ryan and Hugh Pritchard in 13th and 15th positions respectively. Wallasey's other counters were Colin Harris and Ray Scammell who would have no doubt done much better had they both not ran off the course.
Round 2 - Race 1 - Rose Cottage, Prenton - 29/10/1955 - Senior Men
Wallasey A.C. members visited the headquarters of Wirral A.C. at Prenton last Saturday for their second cross-country league fixture of the season against our hosts Wirral A.C. and Liverpool Pembroke Harriers.
As on the previous Saturday afternoon there was a surprisingly good turnout. Two of our own runners who have not been running for several years have decided to start again and came to Prenton to make their second debut In cross-country running, while more of our older and greater experienced runners have started to race at these meetings. This being so, we might be able to field a complete senior team in the local championships. It was no surprise that Pembroke won the team race. As was expected, Wallasey finished third against two of the best Merseyside teams. First home for Wallasey was Roy Parry on leave from the Army. He finished in 12th position closely followed by Ian McIvor, Brian Woolford, John Lynch, John Ryan and Colin Harris.
Round 3 - Race 1 - Leasowe Road Playing Fields - 19/11/1955 - Senior Men
Last Saturday saw the last but one of the Liverpool & District Cross-Country league fixtures, this one being held at Wallasey Athletic Club headquarters in Leasowe Road.
It was between Sefton Harriers, Sutton Harriers and the Wallasey Club. Unfortunately Sutton Harriers decided not to send a team thus leaving only Sefton and the Wallasey Club. Another disappointing fact was that Sefton did not bring a boys and youth team as was expected and Wallasey Youths, who had expected to race had either to go out for an ordinary training run or join in the senior race of six miles.
Steve Rogers, of Sefton won the race quite easily, with Ron Barlow finishing in second place. This was an extremely good performance considering that Ron is a youth. Third place was gained by Peter Rogers, the winners brother also from Sefton. Second man home for Wallasey was Ian McIvor in seventh position.
The team race was won by Sefton with 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th placings giving them a total of 27 points. Wallasey had - 2nd Barlow; 7th McIvor; 9th Brian Woolford; 11th John Ryan; 18th Colin Harris and 20th Ray Scammell giving a total of 69 points.
Round 4 - Race 2 - Old Comrade's Club, Crosby - 26/11/1955 - Senior Men
Last Saturday saw our last Liverpool & District Cross-Country League fixture. This one was against Waterloo Harriers and Warrington Harriers at Crosby. The result must have surprised several of our runners in that we won our first league fixture of the season instead of finishing second or third as we usually do.
The first man home was Bertie Knowles of Waterloo Harriers. He was followed by N. Amer also of Waterloo. Brian Woolford ran a very fine race to finish in third place. The heavy going suited him down to the ground. Our 48 points were made up by 3rd, Brian Woolford, 5th Ian McIvor (another good run by this promising junior, 6th Pete White (on leave from the army), 8th John Ryan (who is improving steadily as the season progresses) 12th Tony Townsend (who though not quite up to his usual form, ran quite well), and a very good run by Dave White in 14th position. Some other runners in the club would do well to take note of these promising runs and the fact that they are due to consistent training. The counting six were followed by Colin Harris, 18th, Phil Townsend 19th, John Lynch 21st. John Winrow 25th, Ray Scammell 26th, Ram Hewson 34th and Roy Shaw 36th.
Christmas Handicap
Christmas Handicap - Leasowe - 24/12/1955 - Seniors
The Christmas handicap last Saturday was somewhat marred by fog, but conditions did not interfere with any of the races. The first of the two races was for the boys, the course being along Leasowe Road up to Moreton shore and back.
Ken Poyning, although off scratch, moved through all the field to win quite easily. He was followed by Brian Anthony some hundred yards behind. Third was Billy Morris and fourth Peter Davies.
The other race was for youths, juniors and seniors combined and the course took the runners along Leasowe Road on to Leasowe embankment and around the sandhills, down Telegraph Lane, finishing outside the club. First man home was Harry Lutas and second A. Devereux. Third place was gained by Ron Barlow. Ron, who was off scratch, returned the fastest time for the race. Fourth was Pete White on leave from the army and fifth was Hugh Pritchard.
Christmas Handicap - Leasowe - 24/12/1955 - Boys
The Christmas handicap last Saturday was somewhat marred by fog, but conditions did not interfere with any of the races. The first of the two races was for the boys, the course being along Leasowe Road up to Moreton shore and back.
Ken Poyning, although off scratch, moved through all the field to win quite easily. He was followed by Brian Anthony some hundred yards behind. Third was Billy Morris and fourth Peter Davies.
