MATCH REPORT: A&T extend unbeaten run
Astley & Tyldesley extended their 100% record in all three North & Scotland League divisions against Hull.
On a cold, windy afternoon, A&T and Hull fought out a keenly contested encounter in the Division 1 match. A&T took the lead in heat 1, with a 6-4 to the Steve Harris/ Mark Grantham pairing over Andy Angell/ Jack Lister. Three shared heats followed, before Angell passed Pawel Idziorek and Adam Stephenson followed through for a 7-3, to put Hull in front, 26-24. Three more shared heats made the interval score: A&T 39 Hull 41. A&T drew level in heat 11, with a 6-4 to Idziorek/ Paul Graham over Angell/ Lister. A&T effectively clinched the match with two great 7-3 heat wins from outside grids by the Adam Phillips/ Reece Pollitt pairing in heats 12 and 14, over Dave Hemsley/ Dan Teal and then over Lister/ Hemsley. This put A&T 75-65 ahead after heat 14. Three shared heats followed, before Hull took a consolation 7-3 in the last heat to Lister/ Angell, as A&T gave Mick Knowles and Matt Snell an additional ride each, with the match already won.
The match was very tight throughout the first half, as a strengthened Hull team gave A&T a real challenge. However, A&T’s superior fitness told in the 2nd half. Gin Pit track designer Dave Hemsley recorded the fastest time of the day, 40.80 seconds in heat 3.
North & Scotland League Division 1 match result
Astley & Tyldesley 93 Hull 87
A&T: Pawel Idziorek 19 (1), Adam Phillips 18, Steve Harris 17, Reece Pollitt 16 (3), Kyle Holland 6 (3), Paul Graham 6 (1), Matt Snell 6 (1), Mick Knowles 3, Mark Grantham 2.
Hull: Andy Angell 21 (1), Adam Stephenson 18 (3), Dave Hemsley 17, Jack Lister 13, Nathan Everett 11 (1), Dan Teal 4 (1), Dave Cooper 3, Richie Pawson dnr, Frank Auffret dnr, Matt Eglen dnr.
Referee – Chaz Whalley.
A&T’s Adam Phillips (left) and Reece Pollitt (right) leading Hull’s Dan Teal (left) and Dave Hemsley (right). Photo courtesy of Len Priestley, A&T Official Club Photographer.
A&T were fast out of the traps in the Division 2 match, scoring maximum points in all four opening heats, to take a 28-11 lead. A&T were able to give rides to two u-13 riders after that, whilst increasing their lead, to run out convincing 74-43 winners. Mick Knowles, Emily Burgess, Mark Grantham and Matt Snell all raced unbeaten for A&T. No Hull rider won a race, but credit to them for fielding eight riders in the match.
North & Scotland League Division 2 match result
Astley & Tyldesley 74 Hull 43
A&T: Matt Snell 20, Mark Grantham 15 (1), Emily Burgess 14 (2), Mick Knowles 11 (1), Lee Phillips 8 (2), Charlie Burgess 3, Duncan Whalley 3.
Hull: Matt Eglen 10, Brad Stansfield 7, Richie Pawson 6 (1), Andy Knowles 5 (2), Frank Auffret 5, Dan Teal 4 (1), Dave Cooper 3, Jack Lister 3.
Referee – Kyle Holland.
A&T raced to their customary big win in the Division 3 match, 137-19, despite having riders missing during the school holidays. A&T’s Aiden Green raced unbeaten in the u-10s match, with Duncan Whalley top scoring in the u-13s match, beaten only by Chloe Warn in heat 4.
North & Scotland League Division 3 match result
Astley & Tyldesley 137 Hull 19
A&T: Aiden Green 16, Frank White 15, Duncan Whalley 15, Tom Beeley 13, Chloe Warn 13, Levi Edwards 12, Myles Grantham 12, Oscar Belt 11, Harriet Belt 11, Aliesha Green 8, Lewis Skitterall 7, Owen Simcock 4.
Hull: Sam Stansfield 11, Morgan Mobbs 8.
Referee – Chaz Whalley.