It was another defeat for the Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct Cycle Speedway team in their Midlands / North League Division 2 match at Sheffield on Sunday. Once again top riders Damien Hack and Russ Holland were absent from the team.

Sheffield sportingly left out key riders to make a more competitive match, but they still ran out convincing winners, 89 - 59. Martin Cain and Jason Burke were both unbeaten in their three races each, with Jonathan Birks dropping just one point, and solid scores from the rest.

Mark Wylie again top scored for Team Green dropping just two points, with Mike Hack weighing in with 15 points. The rest of the side though struggled against the home side, with only Steve Holland beating an opponent when he held off Ashley Birks in heat 12.

A & T are being badly let down by the older and experienced members of the club so far this year, forcing youngsters into racing against much older and more experienced opposition.

Midlands / North Division 2 match score: Sheffield 89 Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct 59 Sheffield scorers: Jonathan Birks 17 (plus 2 bonus), Robert Hudson 16, Andrew Blackburn 13 (3), Martin Cain 11 (1), Jason Burke 11 (1), Richard Bowler 10, Peter Pearson 7, Ashley Birks 4 (1). A & T scorers: Mark Wylie 18, Mike Hack 15, Steve Holland 9, Rob Longworth 7, Becky Heslop 4, John Nuttall 3, Chris Heslop 3.

A & T's youngsters fared better in the Junior Handicap Individual that followed. Steve Holland scored 14 points, Rob Longworth 12, Becky Heslop 9, Chris Heslop 8 and John Nuttall 7. However, Sheffield's Martin Gamble won with a 20 points maximum score. Four Sheffield riders tied for second place after scoring 16 points - Andrew Blackburn, Jonathan Birks, Russell Birks, David Farley.