MATCH REPORT: A&T up to second
Astley & Tyldesley moved into second place in the Northern League Division 1, after beating Sheffield 100-75, at Gin Pit on Sunday.
A&T opened up with two maximum heat wins and this was extended to a 16 points lead, as early as heat 7. The visitors then claimed inside grid positions and the match outcome was never in doubt. Sheffield battled hard, but had no answer to an impressive A&T display, who banged in six maximum heat wins.
Radek Handke and Damian Zareba both raced unbeaten, with Reece Pollitt losing only in his last race to Kyle Holland. Former European Champion Zareba’s bike had been stolen the previous week, but A&T came to the rescue by lending him one of their club bikes, which he adapted to suit his own requirements. A&T scored solidly down the line. Best for Sheffield was veteran Jason Burke, who scored a well earned 16 points.
Astley & Tyldesley 100
Radek Handke 19 (1), Reece Pollitt 19, Damian Zareba 16 (4), Mark Mulvey 12 (2), Danny Hughes 11 (2), Luke Jamson 11 (1), Ciaran Collins 9, Gareth Paine 3.
Sheffield 75
Jason Burke 16, Niall Morton 12 (2), Matt Parrott 11 (1), Kyle Holland 11, Vicky Brown 9, Ed Morton 6 (1). Richard Hudson 5 (2), Luke Morton 5.
Referee – Bill Phillips.
There was a shock in the Division 2 match, as unbeaten A&T lost 71-79 to fourth place Sheffield. A&T led up to heat 8, before Sheffield banged in maximum heat wins, either side of the interval, to take the lead and hold on for a deserved, but shock win. Sheffield made clever use of their reserves, Luke Morton and Niall Morton, in the second half, with tactical changes which brought them heat wins. Joe Twigg and Ed Morton top scored for Sheffield, while best for A&T were Gareth Paine and Ciaran Collins.
Astley & Tyldesley 71
Gareth Paine 17 (1), Ciaran Collins 15 (2), Max Evans 13 (2), Jon Quarmby 12, Matt Snell 7, John White 4, Joe Quarmby 3, Charlie Burgess dnr.
Sheffield 79
Joe Twigg 17, Ed Morton 14 (4), Niall Morton 10 (2), Rob
Mawhood 10 (1), Sam Haines 8 (1), Niamh Morton 8, Luke Morton 6 (1), Daniel Rushton 6.
Referee – Bill Phillips.
A&T maintained their 100% record in the Division 3 match, with a convincing 105-55 win over Sheffield. Sam Haines raced unbeaten for the visitors. For A&T, Emily Burgess and John White lost once each, with Matt Snell scoring well on his return from injury, along with Joe Quarmby.
Astley & Tyldesley 105
Emily Burgess 15, John White 15, Matt Snell 14, Joe Quarmby 14, Charlie Dickinson 10, Charlie Burgess 10, Jack Littler 8, Lucy Grantham 5, Max Quarmby 5, Jonah Clare 5, Finn Boland 4.
Sheffield 55
Sam Haines 16, Jack Brownell 14, Keelan Burton 10, Joe
Brownell 10, Lewis Bemrose 5.
Referee – Catherine White.
On Sunday, A&T stage Round 4 of the Northern Fours & Junior League series. First race is at 12 noon at Gin Pit.
For more information on cycle speedway, ladies road rides and off road leisure rides, visit the Astley & Tyldesley Cycling Club’s website at www.astleycyclespeedway.org.uk
Cover Photo A&T’s Damian Zareba (right) team riding with Danny Hughes, on their way to a heat win over Sheffield’s Ed Morton and Matt Parrott. Photo courtesy of Linda Kirkland.