Extract from the Woking News and Mail – November 1972

Woking Grammar School : Cross-Country : Selwyn Trophy 1972

Last Saturday afternoon the young athletes of Woking Grammar School survived a coach breakdown and the cold November wind to take part in the first leg of the annual schools Selwyn Trophy cross-country competition, held by Epsom and Ewell Harriers at Tattenham Corner.

This event is decided on two separate Saturdays, and attracts school teams from London and all over the south-east – over 40 in all, and the grammar school have a five-year history of participation and success in this event.

Apart from securing a splendid third place in the team event, the Under-13 team seemed to be demonstrating that Woking will be unchallenged this time next year, for three of the four scorers were first year boys who will still be in the race next year.

The school’s two established young stars, David Eglen and Neil Cook, were soon seen at the front of the 180-man field, and David, running superbly as always, sprinted strongly at the finish for fourth place in 10 min 45 sec, while Neil came in sixth place with 10 min. 54 sec.

But it was the third man home who created the sensation of the afternoon, for while David and Neil are well known as two of the fastest youngsters in the south, no one expected to see Keith Wallond in 19^th place.

The under-15s were well beaten as a team because they do not have enough strength in depth this year as a school team; thus although they finished three in the first 20 they had to wait for Paul Atkins to finish 70^th, still a fair run in the field of 100, before their team were home.

But up in the top 10 Robert Moore and Timothy Eglen ran a couple of blinders to take sixth and eighth places in times of 14 min 11sec and 14 min 26sec respectively.

Tim, in particular, was in terrific form and he has another year to go in the age group. Not far behind was Richard Atkins, who was also running very well for 20^th place in 15 min 22 sec.

Email from Mark Harding