A LARGE enthusiastic audience watched Manchester Veterans take ample revenge for a six-point defeat last month at Hawbush, East London, with a 113-94 victory over South Veterans.

Glorious sunshine greeted the whole ensemble to Goshen last Saturday and a star-studded line-up of ex-British champions and past masters served up some entertaining and often competitive racing over 21 two-lap heats.

The score was held close early on with first Manchester then the South holding a very slender lead before the home side went ahead by eight points, 58-50 at the interval.

Bury-Border Flooring's founder secretary Tony Mann, at 63-years-old, was well involved in the action and although a little slow off the starts pulled off three exciting and tactical last bend passes in his four rides, although scoring only six points for his efforts.

Two relative youngsters, both with Bury connections, were drafted in as stand-by reserves. John Burston, at 55, rode unbeaten by an opponent in three rides and Mike Berry, 50, won his only two races helping to stretch Manchester's winning margin.

The match, organised by the Veteran Cycle Speedway Riders Association, was topped off with an enjoyable evening at the Rostrevor Hotel, Manchester Road, where many reminiscences were exchanged and this and many other matches from the far distant past were re-lived. There was also much praise for the Bury club's organisation of the event and the whole set-up at the Goshen circuit. Club officials were delighted to receive the compliment as the 'big one' approaches when the club stage their first ever British final, the British Veterans Individual Championship semi-finals and final at Goshen on Saturday, August 7.

While all this activity was taking place youngster Robert Pearce was competing at Poole, Dorset, in the world World Junior Championships. Robert successfully negotiated a tough qualifying round before being eliminated at the semi-final stage. It was a creditable performance from the youngster riding above his own age group.

On Sunday at Heckmondwike, Fred Rothwell took third place in the Northern Veterans Individual Championship (over 40s), taking second place in a three-man run-off to decide the minor placings behind winner Frank Finnigan of Stourport.

In the senior event, Paul Dyson was out of luck, three wins and two exclusions leaving him well down the field. Home rider Darren Kent took the title.

On Sunday it is Northern Junior League and Senior Fours League action at Tameside. Bury hope for a good turn-out to consolidate their table-topping position in the junior sections, starting at 12.30pm.

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