MATCH REPORT: Whalley and Preston scoop Manchester League titles

Astley & Tyldesley hosted the first of this year’s Manchester League Individual Finals evenings, with the U10 and U16 Championships on Wednesday.

A&T’s impressive squad of U10 riders dominated proceedings, in a nine rider field. Duncan Whalley raced to a 16 points maximum score to take the title. He beat his nearest rival, first year rider Fraser Brundrett, in heat 9.

Fraser won his other three races to take a well deserved runner-up spot. 6 years old Aiden Green repeated his 3rd placing in the Northern U10 Individual Final, by taking 3rd place against riders much older and bigger than him.

U10 top 3

Manchester League U10 Individual Championship result
Duncan Whalley (A&T) 16, Fraser Brundrett (A&T) 15, Aiden Green (A&T) 14, Kaci Neath (Bury) 13, Frank White (A&T) 12, Lucy Grantham (A&T) 11, Tom Beeley
(A&T) 10, Daniel Johnson (A&T) 9, Rowan Neath (Bury) 8.

Referee – Catherine White

The U16 Final promised to be a four way battle between the Stockport trio of Michael Preston, Devon Campbell, Louis Wright and A&T rider Max Evans.

Campbell had a good win off outside gate over Wright in heat 2, a feat repeated by Preston over Campbell in heat 6. Heat 8 saw Evans keep up his unbeaten run, as he gated over Campbell to secure the win. Preston beat Wright in heat 9.

Campbell and Wright both won their final races, to secure third place on the night for Campbell. There was a last race decider for the title between two unbeaten riders, with Preston starting on grid 1 and Evans on grid 3.

Preston held his gate and a series of strong challenges from Evans over the four laps, to take the race win and the overall title, with Evans runner-up (cover photo).

Manchester League U16 Individual Championship result
Michael Preston (Stockport) 16, Max Evans (A&T) 15, Devon Campbell (Stockport) 14, Louis Wright (Stockport) 13, Emily Burgess (A&T) 12, John White (A&T) 11, Ben Forshaw (A&T) 10.

Referee – Chas Whalley.