THE Northern Alliance Individual competitions take pride of place this week.

The Tameside Club's staging of the event at their temporary home at Stockport, proved to be something of a benefit for the members of Bury-Pedalsport.

A total of five trophies were collected from the five different categories.

The headline makers, Paul Dyson, who won his fourth successive veteran's title, and Ben Scranage, a red-hot winner of the under-19 title and an amazing third place in the senior.

The long day started with the under-13s with no less than six Bury contestants all giving a good account of themselves. Chris Dyson came out best with 17 points in third place overall, behind the impressive 10-year-old British champion, Matt Beharrel of Hull.

Matt added the Northern title to his honours, with a brilliant maximum score taking all his main rivals from the back in fine style.

Leo Brindley just the trophies with 16 points in fourth place, and Dave Parrish took fifth place with 15 points. Declan O'Shea had 14 points, Ryan O'Shea 12, and Michael Collins 11 for Bury.

The under-16 race was reckoned to be Bury's weakest event but Chris Parish rose to the occasion to take third place with 14 points behind Tameside's seemingly inevitable winner, Chris Eaton. Chris Dyson scored 11, and Leo Brindley 10.

Ben Scranage started as hot favourite for the under-19s and didn't disappoint, with a blistering four-ride maximum 16 points to take the title.

Tom Doyle scored 12, missing the third spot by a single point. Chris Parish scored 10, and young Leo Brindley, riding in his third event of the day, scored eight.

The veterans' over-40s was a low key event this year but Paul Dyson won his fourth successive Northern title after a mammoth battle with his biggest rival, Frank Finnigan, now with Astley and Tyldesley.

Now onto the main event, the Senior or Open category, and Bury had two major contenders. In the end, Ben Scranage took a brilliant 17 points from three seconds and two wins to secure the third place trophy.

Paul Dyson with 16 points just missed out in fourth place, Tom Doyle scored 6.

On the Saturday, another depleted Bury squad travelled to Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, for Midland/North regional fixtures. Under the circumstances, the results were not too bad. The second team lost 61-58 with Chris Parrish 14+1, and Steve Mann 14, heading the Bury scorers.

In the first team match, Paul Dyson, Fred Rothwell and Neil Howarth were in the thick of the action with 13+2, 12+1 and 13 respectively. Wednesfield 99, Bury 79.

No local racing this weekend as the European Championships take place in Poland, with Bury's 18-year-old Ben Scranage in the official England party.

THE Summer Fun sessions are now under way and will be run every Thursday evening from 6.30-8pm up to August 26.

The sessions cost £1 per person per session.

Bikes and other equipment are available to borrow free-of-charge, and free tuition will be given by experienced club members.

The Goshen cycle speedway track is situated next to the car park at Goshen Sports Centre, off Tennyson Avenue, Bury. For further information, telephone the club secretary, Tony Mann on 0161 705 2378.