Astley and Tyldesley Cycle Speedway Club (From Leigh Journal)

Astley and Tyldesley Cycle Speedway Club

2:15pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in Sport

ASTLEY and Tyldesley Cycle Speedway Club opened the 2013 season by welcoming closest neighbours Bury for a Northern League fixture.

A&T marked their return to Division One, after a three years’ absence, with a spirited display, but were well beaten 97-51 by last year's league runners-up.

Danny Hughes, making a return after a six years absence, was in great form for A&T, battling hard for his points, with some spectacular riding and taking A&T's only race win in heat 10.

The others all gave it their best and will improve as they gain fitness and experience of racing at this level.

Northern League Division One result: Astley & Tyldesley 51 Bury 97.

The Division Two match was a closer affair, as A&T gave it a real go against last year's league winners.

Bury moved into a 31-19 lead after heat five, but A&T then really dug in to prevent the visitors from running away with the match, before going down 83-66.

Captain Reece Pollitt impressed for A&T with two race wins, with the others all getting stuck in and having some good race results.

Northern League Division Two result: Astley & Tyldesley 66 Bury 83.

A&T lined up with an impressive 17 riders for the inaugural Division Three match, exclusively for riders aged under 12.

This was a fine testimony to the recruitment and training efforts of the A&T club.

The match was ridden in a great atmosphere, as the youngsters loved their taste of competitive racing action.

A&T's Max Evans was the only unbeaten rider, with teammates Daniel Burns and Matthew Snell bagging 14 points each.

Northern League Division Three result: Astley & Tyldesley 161 Bury 38.