MATCH REPORT: A&T finish off with a win at Heckmondwike
Astley & Tyldesley ran out easy winners in both matches in the final Northern League fixture of the season at Heckmondwike on Sunday.
A&T took the lead with a 6-3 heat win to Paul Graham/Lee Phillips over Adam Watson in the first race of the Division 1 match. This was after Heckmondwike’s Mick Knowles took a heavy fall on the back straight, which ruled him out of the remainder of the match.
Heckmondwike’s Mick Knowles took a heavy fall in heat one. Video by Peter Smith.
A&T quickly pulled clear, to open up a commanding 15 points lead after just five races. A&T restricted Heckmondwike to one heat win, when the visitors fielded both reserves late on in the match. For A&T Damian Zareba showed his class with some excellent team riding and along with Reece Pollitt raced unbeaten, as did Paul Graham in his three races. Ciaran Collins made an impressive return from injury, winning his opening three races, with the rest of the team providing solid back up.
Veteran Darren Kent was the best for Heckmondwike, winning two races. This win means A&T finished 4th in the Northern League Division 1 table, a result which confined Heckmondwike to the wooden spoon.
Heckmondwike 59
Darren Kent 16 (1), Adam Watson 11 (3), Jake Wood 11 (1), Justin Naylor 9, John Mawby 8, Laura Watson 4, Mick Knowles 0.
Astley & Tyldesley 88
Reece Pollitt 19 (1), Damian Zareba 16 (4), Ciaran Collins 16, Paul Graham 12, Max Evans 10 (1), Lee Phillips 8 (2), Gareth Paine 4, Mark Grantham 3.
Referees – Darren Kent & Justin Naylor.
A&T ran out convincing winners in the Division 3 match, 143-48, to clinch the Northern League Division 3 title for the third year running! A&T’s John White raced to a 16 points maximum score, with Nathan Holt excelling in his first ever match, with a 14 points score. A&T scored solidly throughout, with all 14 riders making a valuable contribution to the league title win. For Heckmondwike, Will Naylor top scored, losing only to A&T’s Matt Snell in heat 19.
Astley & Tyldesley junior team and coach Will Evans with the Northern League Division 3 trophy, after today’s win at Heckmondwike. Photo courtesy of Janine Paine.
Heckmondwike 48
Will Naylor 15, Peter Bradbury 13, Harvey Wells 10, Bella Naylor 10.
Astley & Tyldesley 143
John White 16, Emily Burgess 14, Matt Snell 14, Nathan Holt 14, Max Evans 12, Joe Quarmby 12, Charlie Burgess 11, Jay Jay Meakin 10, Bliss Meakin 8, Aiden Green 8, Lucy Grantham 7, Frank White 6, Max Quarmby 6, Jake Walsh 5.
Referee – Darren Kent.
Astley & Tyldesley Cycling Club made it an even better week by successfully gaining their Sport England Clubmark Reaccreditation. This means that A&T fulfill Sport England’s criteria for being a quality sports club, a status the club has held since 2005.