MATCH REPORT: Two wins for Sheffield and a retained title for A&T

Astley & Tyldesley welcomed Sheffield to Gin Pit for the final Northern League match of the season on Sunday. There was nothing at stake for either team in the Division 1 match, Sheffield needed to win the Division 2 match to keep up their title challenge, whilst the Division 3 match was a championship decider!

A&T were hammered by Sheffield in the Division 1 match, by 65-115. Reece Pollitt and Luke Jamson were the only A&T riders to win a race against the league runners-up. Credit to Sheffield on their sporting attitude in twice allowing Pollitt back into the race, after he moved at the start. For the visitors, Damian Zareba and Kyle Holland both raced unbeaten, as did reserve Mick Knowles.

Northern League Division 1 match result

Astley & Tyldesley 65 Sheffield 115
A&T: Reece Pollitt 13 (1), Luke Jamson 12, Gareth Paine 9, Joe Allen 9, Jon Quarmby 8, Ben Dickinson 6, Ciaran Collins 5, Max Evans 3.
Sheffield: Kyle Holland 19 (1), Niall Morton 17 (1), Jason Burke 16 (2), Damian Zareba 15 (5), Rich Hudson 13 (4), Bobby McMillan 13 (1), Mick Knowles 12, Matt Parrott 10.
Referee – Bill Phillips.

A&T were well beaten in the Division 2 match, 63-82, as Sheffield maintained their title challenge. Reece Pollitt raced unbeaten, with Max Evans, Gareth Paine and Ciaran Collins each winning a race for A&T. A solid scoring Sheffield team opened up with two maximum heat wins and were always in control throughout the match.

Northern League Division 2 match result

Astley & Tyldesley 63 Sheffield 82
A&T: Reece Pollitt 15 (+1), Gareth Paine 12, Jon Quarmby 11 (+1), Max Evans 9, Ciaran Collins 6, Joe Quarmby 5, Ben Dickinson 3, John White 2 (+1).
Sheffield: Vicky Brown 18, Luke Morton 14 (+5), James Bunting 13 (+1), Sam Haines 13, Rebecca Davies 12, Ed Morton 9 (+2), Matt Parrott 3.
Referee – Bill Phillips.

Sheffield led the Division 3 table by two match points going into the match, but A&T had a better race points difference. A&T made the better start to the match and opened up a 32-28 lead after six races. Back came Sheffield and they edged into a 61-59 lead at the halfway stage. The next round of six races saw A&T regain their lead, the scores at 91-88, as the match moved into an exciting last round of races. The home side finished strongly and ran out 124-114 winners. Only a match win would have secured the title for Astley & Tyldesley to retain the league title they won last year. The Team Green riders duly obliged, with Sheffield runners-up as last year, race points deciding the winning margin on both occasions.

For A&T, Max Evans raced to a maximum score, with Matt Snell unbeaten by an opponent, but it was the efforts of all fourteen A&T riders on the day, which secured the Northern League Division 3 title, for u-13 riders. For Sheffield, James Bunting rode unbeaten, with some excellent support from his nine team mates. However, the additional four riders fielded by A&T ultimately proved decisive.

Northern League Division 3 match result

Astley & Tyldesley 124 Sheffield 114
A&T: Max Evans 16, Matthew Snell 14, Ben Dickinson 12, Emily Burgess 12, Joe Quarmby 9, Kieran Fallon 9, John White 9, Luke Hill 8, Jack Murray 7, Charlie Burgess 7, Ryan Fallon 6, Jack Littler 6, Max Quarmby 5, Caillen Langlands 4.
Sheffield: James Bunting 16, Dan Rushton 15, Sam Haines 15, Niamh Morton 13, Jack Brownell 13, Logan Perkins 10, Charlie Cottam 9, Shaun Fairbrother 9, Kielan Burton 9, Joe Brownell 5.
Referee – Bill Phillips.

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Title winning A&T Division 3 side