MATCH REPORT: New look A&T show off their potential
Astley & Tyldesley made the best possible start to the 2015 Northern League season, by winning all three matches at Sheffield on Sunday! There was a great turn-out of riders, parents, officials and supporters as Team Green showed their intentions for the new season.
In the Division 1 match, Mark Mulvey and Damian Zareba teamed up to take 1st and 2nd places in heat 1, as A&T led throughout the match. Zareba and fellow new signing Radek Handke both raced unbeaten, with Reece Pollitt winning his first four races, before dropping his only point to Niall Morton in the last race. Paul Graham scored well, with the others providing sufficient back-up to A&T’s top three to ensure that Team Green ran out comfortable 95-82 winners.
Northern League Division 1 match score
Sheffield 82 Astley & Tyldesley 95
Sheffield: Richard Hudson 13 (2), Simon Gamble 13, Kyle Holland 12 (2), Niall Morton 12 (2), Jason Burke 12, Matt Parrott 8 (1), Luke Morton 7 (1), Ed Morton 4.
A&T: Radek Handke 20, Damian Zareba 19 (1), Reece Pollitt 19, Paul Graham 11 (2), Mark Mulvey 8 (1), Ciaran Collins 7, Lee Phillips 6, Max Evans 5.
The Division 2 match was a close affair in the first half, with A&T hampered by a fall by Jon Quarmby and a harsh exclusion to Max Evans. Quarmby recovered to continue and A&T held a slender 40-39 lead at the interval. Team Green came out strongly in the second half, winning four of the races, to run out 80-69 winners. Ciaran Collins won all his five races, with Gareth Paine unbeaten by an opponent after losing to Vicky Brown in the opening race. This was a good solid team performance by A&T, with Max Evans, Matthew Snell and Jon Quarmby all scoring freely.
Northern League Division 2 match score
Sheffield 69 Astley & Tyldesley 80
Sheffield: Sam Haines 16 (1), Vicky Brown 15, Joe Twigg 11, Niamh Morton 10 (2), Rebecca Davies 8 (2), Paul Fisher 7 (1), Lee Cottam 1, Jack Brownell 1.
A&T: Ciaran Collins 20, Gareth Paine 15 (4), Max Evans 14, Matthew Snell 13, Jon Quarmby 12 (1), Joe Quarmby 5, John White 1, Emily Burgess dnr.
A&T ran out convincing winners in the Division 3 match, for u-13 riders. This was a vital victory for A&T, as Sheffield have been their closest rivals in this division for the past 2 seasons, A&T champions and Sheffield runners-up on both occasions. John White led the way for A&T, losing only to Sheffield’s top rider Sam Haines, with strong support throughout the team, as A&T won 121-70.
Northern League Division 3 match score
Sheffield 70 Astley & Tyldesley 121
Sheffield: Sam Haines 16, Jack Brownell 15, Evan Swarby 13, Logan Perkins 10, Max Fletcher 8, Joe Brownell 8.
A&T: John White 15, Max Evans 14, Joe Quarmby 13, Matthew Snell 13, Emily Burgess 12, Charlie Burgess 11, Jack Murray 10, Max Quarmby 7, Ryan Fallon 7, Kieran Fallon 7, Jack Littler 7, Lucy Grantham 5.