MATCH REPORT: A&T open season in fine style

Report by Mike Hack

Astley & Tyldesley began their 2022 cycle speedway season in fine style, by winning all three matches at Goshen Sports centre on Sunday. On a cold, blustery afternoon, the home Bury side got off to a flying start in the Division 1 match, winning three of the opening six races with maximum scores, to open up a 7 points lead. A&T however settled down and moved into a one point lead at the halfway stage. A&T’s superior fitness paid off in the second half and the visitors pulled away to take a comfortable 94-82 victory. New captain Reece Pollitt raced unbeaten in his six races, with 14 years old Tom Morrissey excelling in the 2nd half of the match. For Bury, Harry Radford was the top performer, his only points dropped were from twice losing to Pollitt.

North & Scotland League Division 1 match result

Bury 82 Astley & Tyldesley 94

Bury: Harry Radford 19 (3), Kris Ramsden 16 (1), Danny Taylor 12 (2), Eryk Motala 12, Mark Radford 10, Adam Turnbull 5, Ben Dunford 5, Rob Lees 3.

A&T: Reece Pollitt 23 (1), Tom Morrissey 18 (1), Pierce Bacon 15, Steve Harris 13 (1), Pawel Idziorek 11, Duncan Whalley 9, Paul Graham 5 (1).

Referee – Chaz Whalley.

The first four races were close in the Division 2 match, before two A&T heat wins put them six points up at the halfway stage. As in the 1st team match, A&T’s superior fitness paid off in the second half, recording four maximum heat wins to run out convincing 83-64 winners. Tom Morrissey raced unbeaten for A&T, with Duncan Whalley and 11 years old Frank White dropping just one point each to an opponent. For Bury, Super Veteran Steve Mann and Rob Lees both dropped two points each in the races they completed.

North & Scotland League Division 2 match result

Bury 64 Astley & Tyldesley 83

Bury: Steve Mann 12 (2), Rob Lees 12 (2), George Keeble 11 (1), Tom Dunphy 11, Mark Radford 10 (1), Bobby Dunphy 7, Gary Hollingsworth 1.

A&T: Frank White 19, Tom Morrissey 18 (2), Duncan Whalley 17 (2), David Hamilton 12 (2), Owen Simcock 11 (1), Oscar Belt 5, Harriet Belt 1.

Referee – John Dunphy.

There was an impressive turnout of nineteen riders in the Division 3 match, of whom there were thirteen riders for A&T, which included nine new recruits since the middle of 2021. Bobby Dunphy and Frank White both raced unbeaten in the u-10 and u-13 categories respectively, as A&T raced to an emphatic 137-78 win. The six Bury riders all scored well, including Jaden Hancock in his first match, but they were outnumbered by A&T.

North & Scotland League Division 3 match result

Bury 78 Astley & Tyldesley 137

Bury: Bobby Dunphy 16, Jaden Hancock 15, Harry Dunford 13, Alex Lees 12, George Keeble 11, Savannah Hancock 11.

A&T: Frank White 16, Levi Edwards 14, Harriet Belt 14, Josh Pilkington 12, Oscar Belt 11, Oliver Fox-Wingfield 10, Chloe Bassett 10, Lincoln Davies 9, Alex Lawless 9, Jasmine Lawless 9, Ted Woods 8, Holly Walmsley 8, Jake Mulholland 7.

Referee – Mark Radford.

A&T are holding weekly club training sessions, open to all new riders, as well as existing club members. From Monday 21st March, at 6 pm, the club will be holding sessions exclusively for Women and Girls. There are three sessions on Tuesdays, open to all categories, at 5.30, 6.30 and 7.30 pm. For further details, visit the club website at www.astleycyclespeedway.org.uk