ASTLEY & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare-CTA Direct Cycle Speedway Club were in action on Sunday in Round Five of the Northern Fours and Junior League series.

A & T started the day as leaders of the Northern Junior League, but had several riders unavailable for various reasons. However, the A & T riders who did turn out were all in inspired form.

In the U-13 category, Becky Heslop won all four of her races to take the overall lead in the U-13 Grand Prix series. David Greenough enjoyed his best match to date, winning three races, with another tigerish performance from John Nuttall and a solid score from Chris Heslop. Przemek Binkowski raced unbeaten in the U-19 event, twice beating team mate Damien Hack, who was unbeaten by an opponent.

So, a really tremendous performance from a small squad saw Astley & Tyldesley win the match overall to extend their lead at the top of the table, with two rounds remaining.

The rain came down for the Northern Senior Fours League match, making the starts and corners extremely greasy and slippery. A & T were up against league leaders Bury, but another great performance by A & T's two Polish riders Tomasz Wlodarczyk and Przemek Binkowski saw Team Green push them all the way. A & T finished just 5 points behind Bury, despite the non-arrival of Steve Mills, which undoubtedly cost the Gin Pit side a surprise victory.