ASTLEY & Tyldesley cycle speedway suffered an agonising home defeat against Hull in a Northern League match at Gin Pit on Sunday.

A & T were a rider short, and this proved decisive as they went down 88-87 to the visitors.

A & T's Polish trio were all in magnificent form, with Remi Burchardt and Tomasz Wlodarczyk both racing unbeaten. Darek Kurkowski would have joined them, but for being excluded in a controversial heat 3, when the A & T riders felt that his Hull opponent was the culprit. This proved to be decisive, as Hull hung on to their narrow lead.

It was another close encounter in the Combination match, but this time, A & T ran out 70-67 winners.

A & T hosted the first North Regional Round of the British Youth & Junior League series at Gin Pit on Saturday.

A & T took second place in the team scores, behind Sheffield. Adam Watson won the U8 Grand Prix final, from teammate Stefan Whitelegg. Adam Phillips was second in the U10 Grand Prix final, and Joe Allen won the U18 Grand Prix final.

Astley & Tyldesley entertain Midland giants Wednesfiel, in a Premier League match this Sunday at Gin Pit. First race is at 2pm.