MATCH REPORT: A&T open up with convincing win

Report by Mike Hack

Astley & Tyldesley opened up the delayed start to the 2021 season with a convincing 97-66 win over Stockport in a North West Group Division 1 match at Gin Pit on Sunday. Reece Pollitt raced unbeaten for A&T and recorded the fastest time of the day, 42.66 seconds, in heat 8. He had plenty of support from the rest of the team, who all scored well to overcome the absence of the injured Steve Harris. Youngsters Charlie Burgess, Tom Morrissey and Duncan Whalley all stepped up well from the 2nd team. For Stockport, Jake Read was unbeaten after failing to finish first time out, while Terry Norman featured in all of Stockport’s three 7-3 heat wins. As Stockport are now officially classified by the Regional Committee as a “struggling club”, they were allowed to borrow Lucy Grantham, to make up the team, with her points subsequently deducted from the team’s total.

North & Scotland League Division 1 (North West Group) match result

Astley & Tyldesley 97 Stockport 66

A&T: Reece Pollitt 21 (3), Matt Snell 15 (1), Charlie Burgess 15, Paul Graham 12 (1), Tom Morrissey 12, Duncan Whalley 8 (2), Mark Grantham 8 (1), Emily Burgess 6 (1).

Stockport: Jake Read 19 (1), Terry Norman 18 (2), Ben Higham 16, Devon Campbell 13 (1), [Lucy Grantham 8].

Referee – Lee Phillips.

Astley & Tyldesley fielded four new riders in the Division 3 match, with 6 years old Alexander Lawless scoring a fine 12 points in the u-10 category match. Oscar Belt and Myles Grantham both raced unbeaten in the u-10 category, with Duncan Whalley scoring a 16 points maximum in the u-13 category.

North & Scotland League Division 3 (North West Group) match result

Astley & Tyldesley 106 Stockport 0

A&T: Oscar Belt 16, Myles Grantham 16, Duncan Whalley 16, Thomas Smith 12, Alexander Lawless 12, Harriet Belt 12, Dylan Field 8, Jasmine Lawless 8, Lillie Field 6.

Referee – Chaz Whalley.