Reading on Saturday 12/03/1938 (Senior Men)

BIRCHFIELDERS LOSE THEIR TITLE

MITCHAM WIN NATIONAL

HOLDEN FIRST HOME

Midland representatives met with mixed fortune in the 57th English Cross Country Championship, held over a 10-mile course at Reading on Saturday, for Birchfield Harriers, the holders and 27 times winners, lost the team trophy to Mitcham A.C., who gained their first victory to date with a 25 points margin, and a team containing so many Welshmen that they are known as the "London Welsh."

On the other side of the picture, Jack Holden, the famous Tipton Harrier, was first past the post after eleven unsuccessful attempts.

Birchfield's fate was settled in the final lap. At the commencement of this circuit the Stagbearers had two points to spare from Mitcham and all seemed well, and few were prepared for a Birchfield lapse. But this did happen, and while they were losing valuable points Mitcham improved their position.

A. Bourton, almost assured of international recognition for the second time, dropped seven places, while R. R. Sutherland and J. T. Richards (the captain) failed to get in the scoring six. It was the third reverse the Birchfielders had sustained since the war.

In the Tipton team there was no one to support Holden, and they eventually finished fifteenth, and the only other Midland team to finish were Northampton and County, twenty-fifth. Small Heath had only five finishers, Raunds four, while Cheltenham St. Gregory's did not start.