ASTLEY & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway travelled to Hull on Sunday for Round Three of the Northern Fours and Junior League.

Due to injuries and rider unavailability, A & T fielded a makeshift line-up for the Fours match. However, with Stockport and Heckmondwike in a similar situation, A & T put in plenty of effort and secured third place on the day.

Russ Holland recovered from another first race machine failure to jointly top score with father Steve, recording A & T's only race win in heat 10.

Astley & Tyldesley's U-13 riders have been improving rapidly in recent weeks and once again they turned in an excellent showing in the Junior League match.

Rob Longworth won all his four races to score maximum points, with Becky Heslop losing just once in her four races. John Nuttall was also a race winner, with Chris Heslop weighing in with a good score. Russ Holland scored 12 points in the U-19 category, with Steve Holland and Gary Nuttall adding valuable points in the Senior Combination category.

The combined result of the four junior categories was an excellent result for A & T, finishing second on the day to the home team.

A & T raced at Bury on Thursday evening in the Northern Junior KO Cup Semi-Final. A much older and experienced Bury team was too strong for a young A & T side who battled gamely throughout. Rob Longworth was best for A & T, winning heat 14 from the back to deprive John Olijnyk of his maximum.

Astley & Tyldesley are promoting the annual Home International match at Gin Pit, this Saturday, on behalf of the British Cycling Federation. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland are the four teams in action, in what is A & T's most prestigious event of the 2002 racing calendar. The action promises to be fast and furious with many of Britain's top cycle speedway racers in action. Admission and car parking are free. First race is at 3pm.