ASTLEY & Tyldesley headed into Easter on the back of a visit to Sheffield in a Northern League fixture.

There was a minute's silence prior to the match to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the nearby Hillsborough disaster.

Sheffield Rockets fielded a strong line-up and quickly raced into a commanding lead, leading 46-23 after seven heats.

A&T stuck to their task and responded with a maximum 7-2 heat win to the Reece Pollitt/Luke Jamson pairing in heat eight.

Despite plenty of effort from A&T, there was no let up from Sheffield, although A&T did take heat wins in the last two races, to make the final score Sheffield 105 Astley & Tyldesley 72.

Luke Jamson top scored for Team Green and won heat 18, while Reece Pollitt took two race wins and Danny Hughes and Joe Allen won a race each.

Mark Graham had to withdraw after three races with a back injury.

Northern League Division One match result: Sheffield Rockets 105 Astley & Tyldesley 72.

A&T scorers: Luke Jamson 13 (plus 2 bonus), Reece Pollitt 13, Joe Allen 13, Danny Hughes 12 (1), George Hughes 8, Ciaran Collins 5, Ron Makin 5, Mark Graham 3.

The Division Two match followed a similar pattern, with Sheffield well in control throughout.

A&T's Reece Pollitt put up strong resistance, winning four of his five races, but Sheffield ran out 93-57 winners.

There was a lengthy delay after Ciaran Collins fell and injured his hip before being taken to hospital.

Northern League Division Two match result: Sheffield Rockets 93 Astley & Tyldesley 57.

A&T scorers: Reece Pollitt 18, Max Evans 10, George Hughes 9, Ron Makin 8, Matt Snell 7, Joe Quarmby 3, Ciaran Collins 2.

A low turnout of riders saw A&T lose their first ever Division Three match, since the league started last year.

The four A&T riders present were all in great form, with Max Evans and Matt Snell dropping just a point each, with plenty of effort from the Quarmby brothers, Joe and young Max.

Despite this, Sheffield ran out convincing 101-47 winners.

Northern League Division Three match result: Sheffield Rockets 101 Astley & Tyldesley 47 A&T scorers: Max Evans 15, Matt Snell 15, Joe Quarmby 10, Max Quarmby 7.

Astley & Tyldesley will entertain Edinburgh in a Northern League encounter on Easter Sunday at Gin Pit.

There will be three matches, with the first race starting at 2pm.

For further details, visit the club's website at www.astleycyclespeedway.org.uk.