ASTLEY & Tyldesley opened the 2016 cycle speedway season with a visit to Stockport on Sunday for a Northern League fixture.

In the Division 1 match, defending champions Stockport ran out easy winners, 106-69. Reece Pollitt top scored for A&T, dropping just two points, with Damian Zareba winning two races.

Northern League Division 1 match result: Stockport 106 Astley & Tyldesley 69.

A&T scorers: Reece Pollitt 18, Damian Zareba 13 (plus 1 bonus), Max Evans 8, Ciaran Collins 7, Mark Grantham 7, Gareth Paine 6 (1), Matt Snell 6, Lee Phillips 4.

A&T ran out easy winners in the Division 2 match, 126-81. Stockport conceded 57 penalty points for fielding three ineligible riders.

Matt Snell top scored for A&T, with the rest of the team all chipping in with vital contributions.

Northern League Division 2 match result:

Stockport 81 Astley & Tyldesley 126

A&T scorers: Matt Snell 17, Ciaran Collins 14, Mark Grantham 12, John White 10 (3), Max Evans 10 (1), Emily Burgess 6 (1).

A&T began their defence of the Division 3 title with a 126-0 white wash, as the home team failed to field a single rider. John White raced unbeaten, with Emily Burgess dropping just one point to John. Nathan Holt recovered well from a fall, with Josh Parkinson scoring well in his first match.

Northern League Division 3 match result:

Stockport 0 Astley & Tyldesley 110.

A&T scorers: John White 16, Emily Burgess 15, Charlie Burgess 13, Jack Murray 13, Nathan Holt 11, Jack Littler 11, Josh Parkinson 11, Lucy Grantham 8, Frank White 7, Aidan Green 5.

Astley & Tyldesley have been recognised at two recent events. Club founder Mike Hack won the Special Recognition Award at British Cycling's Go-Ride Clubs Conference at Manchester Velodrome, with the Astley & Tyldesley Club runner-up in British Cycling's Go-Ride Club of the Year category.

Mike Hack subsequently won the Lifetime Achievement Award, at Sport Leigh's inaugural Sports Volunteers evening at the Turnpike Gallery, Leigh.

For more information on cycle speedway, ladies road rides and off road leisure rides, visit the Astley & Tyldesley Cycling Club's website at www.astleycyclespeedway.org.uk