Hit by an unprecedented amount of rider unavailability, Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct just about managed to assemble a team for the visit of Midlands / North League Division 2 champions Sandwell to Gin Pit on Sunday. Once again, it was the more experienced riders who were missing.

Fortunately,  A & T's Polish duo of Przemek Binkowski and Tomasz Wlodarczyk were in action and these two were once again in tremendous form to both race unbeaten. Their efforts very much kept A & T in the match, but Sandwell had a solid scoring team that picked up five vital heat wins in the remaining races to gradually extend their lead to win the match 80 - 68. A & T's youngsters tried their hardest but struggled against more experienced opposition, with Rob Longworth the best and gaining some reward when winning heat 14. Tom Hibberd top scored for the visitors, who had too much strength in depth for A & T to counter.

Midlands / North League Division 2 match final score:

Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct 68 Sandwell 80

A & T scorers: Przemek Binkowski 20, Tomasz Wlodarczyk 19 (plus 1 bonus), Rob Longworth 12, Becky Heslop 6, David Greenough 6, Chris Heslop 5.

Sandwell scorers: Tom Hibberd 15 (3), Tony Bowen 13 (2), Jamie Ball 13 (1), Rob Minchin 12 (2), Jack Hibberd 11 (2), Paul Bird 10 (3), Danny Hill 3, Ashley Skeldon 3.