Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway put up a spirited showing on a very slippery track in the Northern K.O. Cup event at Edinburgh on Sunday. Missing key riders deprived A & T of winning this elusive trophy (perennial runners-up, but never winners).

Despite this Darek Kurkowski was in great form, losing only once to Craig Newsome, with the other riders all picking up vital points. Andy Knowles took a heavy fall when comfortably in second place in heat 6, after a mechanical problem, and the three lost points cost A & T a deserved third place on the day.

Edinburgh and Hull had a real tussle for the Cup throughout the match, but the home team pulled clear in the closing stages to take their first ever Northern Cup win.

Northern Cup result: Edinburgh 51, Hull 46, Heckmondwike 35, Astley & Tyldesley 34, Bury 31.

Astley & Tyldesley host the third and final round of the North West Go-Ride Grand Prix series, at Gin Pit this Thursday evening, 7 pm start.