Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Cycle Speedway took on Hull / Blackbell Electrical in a Midlands/North League Division 1 match at Gin Pit on Sunday. Both sides had key 1st team riders missing, but it was A & T who coped better, racing to an emphatic 115-63 win. It was a case of unlucky 13 for Hull, as this was their heaviest defeat in 13 matches at Gin Pit.

Hull battled gamely, but they failed to record a heat advantage, and had only three race winners out of 18. Ian Clark won two races and dropped just three points, but his only effective support came from Darren Spencer, Hull's other race winner. For A & T, Polish stars Damian Zareba and Remi Burchardt both raced unbeaten, as did veteran Mike Hack at reserve. All A & T's riders were in the points, with special mention for the inexperienced Mark Taylor who pulled off some good passes. A & T welcomed back Danny Hughes, who has re-joined the club after an absence of 9 years, and the twice former U-13 and U-16 British Champion enjoyed two race wins on his return to cycle speedway, after racing motor-cycle speedway for the last five years.

Midlands / North League Division 1 match result.

Astley & Tyldesley MWC 115: Remi Burchardt 18 (plus 2 bonus), Damian Zareba 18 (2), Warren Mee 17 (1), Jeff Radcliffe 16 (2), Danny Hughes 15, Tom Hall 14 (3), Mike Hack 10 (2), Mark Taylor 7 (1).

Hull / Blackbell Electrical 63: Ian Clark 17, Darren Spencer 14, Andy Norrie 7, Chris Cooke 7, Lewis Aylmer 7, Tony Black 6, Josh Black 5.

Referee - Alan Farrell.

Hull enjoyed a win in the Combination match, 62-56, with all six riders doubling up from the 1st team. Hull's Darren Spencer lost only to Warren Mee in heat 11, with solid scores from the rest. A & T's Warren Mee and Mike Hack were both unbeaten in their two rides from reserve, after replacing the injured Roy Heslop, and with Becky Heslop once again failing to complete a match. A & T's youngsters gave plenty of effort, but found the Hull team too experienced for them.

Midlands / North League Combination Division match result.

Astley & Tyldesley MWC 'B' 56: Mark Taylor 10 (1), John Nuttall 10, Warren Mee 8, Mike Hack 8, Becky Heslop 7, Dylan Radcliffe 6 (2), Charlie Keirl 5 (1), Roy Heslop 2 (1).

Hull / Blackbell Electrical 'B' 62: Darren Spencer 15, Andy Norrie 13, Tony Black 12 (2), Chris Cooke 9 (2), Lewis Aylmer 9 (2), Josh Black 4.

Referee - Alan Farrell.