Press Report: WCAC Stay in Top Flight

by Dennis Wall

ATHLETICS

WEST CHESHIRE ATHLETIC CLUB has retained its place in the Northern Track and Field League Premier West Division for next year.

The purple and gold-vested outfit finished fourth in the final round held at Longford Park Stadium, Trafford, to secure third spot in the overall final standings.

Team manager, Alan Littler, led by example for the Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based club in preparation for this weekend’s appearance at the British Masters Track and Field Championships.

Alan posted a new season’s best in the 200m of 25.50 seconds, scored vital points in the shot put and hammer, produced a clearance of 1-70m in his first high jump competition of the year to equal his best over-35 men’s height, and broke his nine year old 400m personal best by 0.12 seconds.

Arwen Thorne, Favour Akpan, Satine Wearden, and Danielle Erskine all delivered important victories to build on the impressive team spirit throughout the squad.

Arwen won the high jump (1-53m),while Favour triumphed in the triple jump (11.48m), Satine added 16cms to her 4kg hammer best for a winning mark of 35.59m, and Danielle claimed maximum points from the B long jump (4.16m) and B triple jump (9.15m).

Other important point scoring members of the team included Joy Hickman improved her 2,000m steeplechase best by 1.7 seconds, as well as Lewis Parsons, Paul Morrison, Lewis Morris, Henry Robinson, Andy Gore, Andy Parker, Dave McKay, Erin Barnard, Beth Manson, Bethan Duke, Anita Boreham, Emma Nutt, and Megan Kettle. 

Final Round Result: 1 Trafford AC 436 points; 2 Blackburn Harriers & AC 336; 3 Bury AC 335; 4 West Cheshire AC 329; 5 Sale Harriers Manchester 301; 6 Wirral AC 206.

The final overall standings are: 1 Trafford AC 23 league points (1645.5 match points); 2 Blackburn Harriers & AC 21 (1493.5); 3 West Cheshire AC 12 (1291.5); 4 Sale Harriers Manchester 11 (1335); 5 Bury AC 11 (1243); 6 Wirral AC 5 (1054.5). 

Bury and Wirral are relegated and will be replaced next year by Team Isle of Man and Blackpool.

DAVE SHEARER, Jodi Bemand, and Jeff Gifford celebrated success on Sunday, at the Sandstone Trail Half Marathon.

Dave won the over 40 men’s age group with a time of 1:33:38, while Jodi was first senior lady with 1:48:35, and Jeff claimed top spot in his over 60 age category with 1:53:06.

Sam Oliver finished third overall in a time of 1:31:13, while Graham Wells clocked 1:44:10 for second spot in his over 50 age group, and Andrew Clague was fourth in his over 50 age group with 1:51:03.

Steve Fernyhough posted 1:52:25 for seventh place in his over 40 age group, while Kevin Eaton clocked 1:55:04, Julie Douzant posted 2:02:47 for fourth over 35 lady, and Emma Nutt was second senior lady in 2:03:35.

JEFF GIFFORD and Andrew Clague won overall victories after the final round of the Deestriders Off Road Grand Prix Series, at Shotton, on Friday night.

Jeff clocked 28:55 at the final race to win his over 60 age group award, and Andrew won the over-55 men’s prize after clocking 29:36 at the final round.

Steve Fernyhough finished seventh on Friday with a time of 26:33, ahead of Mark Davies (28th in 31:25), Sallyann Harper (sixth lady in 34:05), and Tony Kennedy (58th in 39:07).

LEWIS MORRIS clocked 4:34.97 for the one mile on Saturday, at the British Milers Club Meeting, held at Bury.

MATTHEW DOUGLASS was first home for West Cheshire at the opening round of the Wirral Multi Terrain League Series, held at Thurstaston Wirral County Park.

Matthew secured sixth spot in 27:11, backed up by Paul Morrison (48th in 31:40), Duncan Harris (second over-55 man and 52nd overall in 32:22), Adam Harris (67th in 33:35), Andy Manson (fourth over 50 man and 79th overall in 34:26), Fraser Campbell (90th in 35:25), Phil Gent (156th in 40:18), Andy Carter (169th in 41:10), and Tony Kennedy (238th in 46:49).

FIXTURES this weekend include the British Masters Track and Field Championships, at Derby, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; the North West and Cheshire Road Relay Championships on Saturday at Heaton Park, Manchester; and the final round of the Cheshire Track and Field Grand Prix, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Sunday.

WIRRAL AC are organising an Open Track and Field Meeting for Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 16s, and Under 18s on Wednesday, September 16 (6-9pm), at Bebington Oval. Further details: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=29479

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Final Fling Open Throws Meeting taking place at Wrexham on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27. Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 16s and Under 18s on Saturday; and Under 20s, Seniors and Veterans on Sunday.

Online entries by email to: [email protected]

THE dates and venues for this year’s Wirral Multi Terrain Race Series are: September 15, Harrison Drive, Wallasey; September 22, Arrowe Park, Birkenhead. The online entry page is: https://wirralmultiterrain.niftyentries.com/Wirral-Multi-Terrain-Series-2026

FIXTURES for the 2026-27 Borders Road Running League are: Race 1 – 04/10/2026 – Wrecsam Tri at Llandegla; Race 2 – 01/11/2026 – Birkenhead; Race 3 – 06/12/2025 – Eryri at Trac Mon; Race 4 – 31/01/2027 – West Cheshire (or UTS); Race 5 – 28/02/2027 – UTS (or West Cheshire); Race 6 – 21/03/2027 – Deeside AC or Wrexham AC; Relay & Presentation night – Wednesday 5th May or 12th – Deeside AC or Wrexham AC.