Bebington club on high going into County games

Jan 8 2009 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

XAVIER DESSE (Wirral) finished fifth in the Borders League match held in North Wales, leading Wirral into third place in division three and raising confidence for this weekend’s Merseyside County Championships scheduled for home ground at Arrowe Park.

The Bebington outfit are represented across all the age groups, providing the majority of entrants in all but three of the nine contests and teams in every one but the senior ladies event.

Wallasey, who are fourth in division one of the Borders League, look set to continue their run of successes with teams in both the senior men’s and women’s competitions.

In the former, Liverpool, Wirral and SouthportWaterloo are clear favourites for the team medals while the Sandgrounders are aiming for a fourth successive women’s team title, Liverpool providing the strongest opposition and Spectrum Striders the outside bet.

The under-13s competitions will be well contested but there appears to be a dearth of athletes in the U15s age groups with a maximum of 29 toeing the line in the boys’ race and 25 in the girls’ contest. This reflects a nationwide trend and the number may be reduced on the day owing to illness and injury.

The closest competition appears to be the U17s boys’ race in which favourites LPS take on Liverpool, Wirral (who include Jamie Carragher) and St Helens-Sutton.

LPS will also be represented in the Lancashire Championships which are scheduled for Witton Park, Blackburn while a number of local clubs will be taking part in the Cheshire Championships which are slated for Winsford.

Rosie Johnson (St Helens-Sutton) was placed third in the U11s competition at the Manchester Area League held at Woodbank Park, Stockport, while the U11s boys trio of Owen Kennedy, Jonathan Causer and Jamie Dinnar won the bronze team medals.

There were individual wins for Chelsea Jarvis and Jamie White, Matt Crehan took second place and Gemma Connolly was the fourth senior lady to finish. In the team competition the U15s and U17s boys will be amongst the medals, as will the U17s girls if they have a team out in the final match at Wythenshawe Park.

Track and Field athletes began their year with an indoor fixture at SportCity Manchester. Jack Meredith (Liverpool) was in winning form in the hurdles and flat sprint races and there was a win for Vicky Griffiths in the 600 in 1.28.85.

The 20th running of the New Year’s Day Sefton Coastal Path from Blundlesands to Southport proved interesting with several of the 22 SouthportWaterloo athletes losing their way, although all were eventually accounted for.

In addition to the various county cross country championships this weekend sees the traditional Garstang 10k near Blackpool. The latest North West Pole Vault training group takes place on Saturday at SportCity with numbers now requiring three separate sessions for the various standards.