Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct opened their 2002 cycle speedway season with a trip to Leicester on Sunday. Despite a well taken 18 points by new signing Mark Wylie, riding on a secondary registration from parent club Tameside, the Greens were well beaten by the home side, 84 - 64.

A & T sorely missed captain Damien Hack (unavailable) and Russ Holland (working), whilst talk of returns to the side by several former riders has remained just that - talk.

Stef Whitehead and Rob Jones both raced unbeaten for Leicester, with solid scores from Lucy Whitehead and Tom Sensicall. For A & T, Wylie lost twice to Leicester's top duo of Whitehead and Jones. Mike Hack also dropped his only points to the top duo, beaten five times in all by them.

Midlands / North League Division 2 match score:

Leicester 'B' 84 Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct 64.

Leicester scorers:

Lucy Whitehead 16 (plus 1 bonus), Rob Jones 16, Stef Whitehead 15 (1), Tom Sensicall 13 (1), Carl Jarvis 9 (3), Dean Brant 8, Matt Brough 5, Ashley Doughty 2.

A & T scorers:

Mark Wylie 18, Mike Hack 14 (plus 1 bonus), Rob Longworth 11, Steve Holland 9 (2), Becky Heslop 7, John Nuttall 3, Chris Heslop 2.