MATCH REPORT: Convincing win for A&T

Report by Mike Hack

North & Scotland League Division 1 champions Astley & Tyldesley began their title defence in emphatic style, with a convincing 108-72 win over Hull at Gin Pit, on Sunday. There was a minute’s applause before the match, in memory and appreciation of A&T Club President, Bill Phillips, who passed away last December. After two shared heats, A&T slammed in four 7-3 heat wins in the next five races, to take control of the match, leading 43-27 after heat 7. Hull claimed inside grids for the rest of the match, but A&T took another five 7-3 heat wins to run out 108-72 winners. Lewis Foxley rode to an impressive 24 points maximum score for Hull and posted the fastest time of the day, 42.93 seconds, in heat 17. For a solid scoring A&T team, Terry Norman, John White, Tom Morrissey and Charlie Burgess all lost only to Foxley. Former British Champion Terry Norman, signed on a season long loan from Stockport, was most impressive on his A&T debut, in six times following his partner home.

North & Scotland League Division 1 result

Astley & Tyldesley 108 Hull 72

A&T: Tom Morrissey 21, John White 20 (2), Terry Norman 17 (6), Charlie Burgess 17 (1), Duncan Whalley 16, Steve Harris 13 (5), Frank White 4, Owen Simcock dnr.

Hull: Lewis Foxley 24, Noah Lyon 11 (1), John Gowans 10, Liam Bennett 9, Jack Lister 9, Ryan Tomkinson 5, Spencer Glenton 4 (1), Kacey Bennett dnr.

Referee – Lee Phillips.

The Division 2 match was closely fought throughout. Hull took first blood with a 7-3 in heat 3, after Frank White fell whilst attempting a last bend pass on Noah Lyon. A&T promptly levelled the scores, only for Hull to take another 7-3 in heat 5, to take a lead which they held until going into heat 14. Hull led 58-52 after heat 11, before Noah Lyon fell after clipping Tom Morrissey’s back wheel in heat 12, as A&T took a 6-4 heat win. This was followed by another home 6-4 and then a 7-3 in heat 14, by the Frank White/ Tom Morrissey pair over reserves Will Hollich and Elwood Harrison, saw A&T take the lead for the first time in the match, 71-69. Hull had inside grids in the last race and Liam Bennett held the lead for three laps, before a terrific outside pass by Duncan Whalley saw him clinch the 5-5 necessary for A&T to take a narrow 76-74 win, which had appeared unlikely for most of the match. Duncan Whalley and Tom Morrissey led the A&T charge, whilst Liam Bennett and John Gowans impressed for Hull.

North & Scotland League Division 2 result

Astley & Tyldesley 76 Hull 74

A&T: Duncan Whalley 19, Tom Morrissey 16 (3), Frank White 14, Oscar Belt 10 (1), Nahom Tumizghy 9, Owen Simcock 8 (1).

Hull: Liam Bennett 18, John Gowans 17 (1), Noah Lyon 11 (1), Spencer Glenton 10 (3), Ryan Tomkinson 7, Kacey Bennett 4, Harvey McLachlan 4, Will Hollich 2, Elwood Harrison 1.

Referee – Chaz Whalley.

In the first match of the day, Hull inflicted a heavy defeat on defending Northern League Division 3 champions, Astley & Tyldesley, winning by 105-80. Hull had three riders who raced to 16 points maximums – Jayden Bennett and Elwood Harrison (both in the u-10 category) and Spencer Glenton in the u-13 category. A&T’s Frank White also scored a 16 points maximum in the u-13 section. Hull pipped A&T by 1 point, 55-54 in the u-13 category, but really did the damage in the u-10 section, winning by 50-26. This was only A&T’s second home defeat at this level, since the Division started in 2013.

North & Scotland League Division 3 result

Astley & Tyldesley 80 Hull 105

A&T: Frank White 16, Oscar Belt 14, Thomas Smith 12, Levi Edwards 10, Nahom Tumizghy 9, Elijah Rechembei 8, William McGee 6, Amelia Harrison-Jones 5.

Hull: Jayden Bennett 16, Elwood Harrison 16, Spencer Glenton 16, Harvey McLachlan 13, Harry Gibson 11, Polly Gowans 10, Will Hollich 10, Alexis Woodcock 8, Charlie Hamilton 5.

Referee – Catherine White.