MATCH REPORT: Mixed fortunes for A&T

Report by Mike Hack

Astley & Tyldesley enjoyed mixed fortunes in their North & Scotland League fixture against local rivals Bury, at a warm and sunny Gin Pit on Sunday. As always these days between the two clubs, the matches were ridden in a competitive, but friendly spirit.
In the Division 1 match, both teams had first choice riders missing, but Bury’s replacements were more experienced than A&T’s. Consequently, defending league champions A&T went down to a heavy 74-104 defeat. Bury provided the race winner in 17 of the 18 races, with Tom Dunphy racing to a fine 24 points maximum. Reece Pollitt incurred a gate exclusion in heat 1, whilst Mike Baldock and Kris Ramsden were both unbeaten until the nominated rider races. A&T’s four regulars scored well, but Steve Harris was the only race winner, in heat 1.

 A&T captain Terry Norman (left) leading Bury’s Mike Baldock. Photo courtesy of Len Priestley, A&T Official Club Photographer.

North & Scotland League Division 1 result

Astley & Tyldesley 74 Bury 104

A&T: Tom Morrissey 15 (1), Duncan Whalley 15 (1), Steve Harris 14 (4), Terry Norman 13, Oscar Belt 6 (1), Owen Simcock 5, Levi Edwards 3, Nahom Tumizghy 2, Mason Gallagher 1.

Bury: Tom Dunphy 24, Kris Ramsden 20 (2), Reece Pollitt 19 (1), Mike Baldock 18 (3), Eryk Motala 14, Mark Radford 6, Bobby Dunphy 3 (1).

Referee – Mike Hack.

The roles were reversed in the Division 2 and Division 3 matches, with A&T having the upper hand in both matches. Bury conceded 25 penalty points for fielding an ineligible rider in the Division 2 match, to make their numbers up to four. A&T raced to a convincing 108-56 win, as Duncan Whalley dropped just one point to Kris Ramsden in heat 5, whilst Owen Simcock enjoyed his best ever match, with three race wins.

North & Scotland League Division 2 result

Astley & Tyldesley 108 Bury 56

A&T: Owen Simcock 17, Duncan Whalley 16 (3), Oscar Belt 13 (2), Nahom Tumizghy 13 (1), Levi Edwards 11, Mason Gallagher 9 (2), Tom Morrissey 4.

Bury: Tom Dunphy 18, Kris Ramsden 15 (1), Bobby Dunphy 14, Mark Radford 9 (2).

Referee – Chaz Whalley.

A&T raced to a comfortable 51-29 win in the Division 3 match, for u-10 and u-13 riders. Bury’s Bobby Dunphy rode to a 16 points maximum score.

North & Scotland League Division 3 result

Astley & Tyldesley 51 Bury 29

A&T: Nahom Tumizghy 12, Oscar Belt 12, Levi Edwards 11, Charlotte Brighouse 6, Elijah Rechembei 6, William McGee 4.

Bury: Bobby Dunphy 16, George Keeble 13.

Referee – Mike Hack.