ASTLEY & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Cycle Speedway Club hosted the opening round of the Northern Fours League and Junior League matches at Gin Pit on Sunday.
With a cold wind and a relaid track, which cut up slightly in places, there were plenty of tired legs well before the end of the six matches which stretched over six hours!
Astley & Tyldesley took to the track resplendent in their green and black colours, bearing for the first time their new sponsor's name, CTA Direct, Tyldesley's leading computer suppliers of Elliott Street.
A & T got off to a poor start in the opening Fours League match, but the team of three juniors and one veteran, rallied well to catch and overhaul Stoke 'B' to finish third behind Bury and Stockport. Late wins by Russell Holland and A & T captain Damien Hack proved crucial in the final analysis.
Northern Fours League Match 1: Bury 58 Stockport 42 Astley & Tyldesley / CTA Direct 32 Stoke 'B' 27. A & T scorers: Damien Hack 11, Russell Holland 10, Mike Hack 6, Chris Barnes 5.
The Northern Junior League match consisted of four different age/ability categories, with Russell Holland in excellent form, dropping just one point in his U-19 match. Stoke easily won from last year's champions Sheffield, with A & T fourth out of the seven teams competing.
Northern Junior League Match Round 1: Stoke 150 Sheffield 104 Bury 76 Astley & Tyldesley / CTA Direct 58 Tameside 52 Heckmondwike 24 Hull 10. A & T scorers: Russell Holland 15, Damien Hack 13, Mike Hack 13, Steve Holland 11, Chris Barnes 6.
Five teams contested the second Northern Fours League match, which Stoke 'A' won ahead of Heckmondwike and defending champions Tameside.
Northern Fours League Match 2: Stoke 'A' 53 Heckmondwike 47 Tameside 43 Sheffield 32 Hull 18.
Astley & Tyldesley continue to hold their weekly club training sessions on Wednesday evenings between 7 and 9 pm. All newcomers are welcome at the floodlit track at the Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Club, Meanley Road, Gin Pit, Tyldesley. For further details, contact Mike Hack on 01942 515341.
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