Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare travelled to Hull for a Midlands/North League Division 1 encounter at the Hessle Raceway. Resplendent in their new team kit, courtesy of sponsors Aqua Clenz, D. Barnett Brokers, CTA Direct, Roger Hannah, Kensite Services, Rowlands Solicitors, A & T recorded two convincing wins over the home team.

In the 1st team match, A & T started with a 7-3 maximum heat win to Remi Burchardt and Chris Finnigan in heat 1, after Ian Clark had fallen. A & T provided every race winner in the 1st half, and with two more 7-3 heat wins in heats 8 and 9, went in at the interval with a comfortable 52-37 lead. Clark was Hull's first race winner when he passed Frank Finnigan to win heat 12, and he repeated the feat in heat 17. The visitors remained in control and ran out 101-78 winners, ending the match with a 7-3 maximum heat win to Damian Zareba and Chris Finnigan over Darren Spencer and Chris Cooke.

A & T totally controlled the match from start to finish, with captain Damian Zareba unbeaten from five outside starts. Fellow Pole Remi Burchardt was also unbeaten, as was Chris Finnigan, with Frank Finnigan dropping just two points to Ian Clark. Warren Mee put in a solid performance, with Tom Hall and Gavin Kennedy unlucky not to add to their totals. Ewan Tulloch fell in both his races. Ian Clark was Hull's best rider, with Darren Spencer, Corey Graham and Chris Cooke all battling hard throughout.

Midlands/North League Division 1 match result:

Hull / Blackbell Electrical 78:

Ian Clark 14 (plus 1 bonus), Darren Spencer 14, Chris Cooke 12, Andy Norrie 10, Corey Graham 9 (2), Rich Pawson 8 (1), Paul Beharrel 6 (2), Lewis Aylmer 5 (1).

Astley & Tyldesley MWC 101:

Remi Burchardt 20, Damian Zareba 20, Frank Finnigan 18, Chris Finnigan 16 (4), Warren Mee 11 (1), Tom Hall 7 (1), Gavin Kennedy 7 (1), Ewan Tulloch 2.

Referee - Dave Musgrave.

The Combination match followed a similar pattern, with A & T taking the lead in heat 1 and extending it to run out comfortable 70-50 winners. Mike Hack raced unbeaten, with Roy Heslop losing twice to Lewis Aylmer. Tom Hall, Warren Mee and Gavin Kennedy were all unbeaten in their two races each, with Ewan Tulloch dropping just 1 point. Youngsters Charlie Keirl and Dylan Radcliffe both put in some good rides. Lewis Aylmer, with two race wins, was best for Hull.

Midlands/North league Combination Division match result:

Hull / Blackbell Electrical 'B' 50:

Lewis Aylmer 13, Matt Beharrel 10 (1), James Ashton 10, Chris Woodward 9 (1), Rob Pawson 3, James Underwood 3, Harry Cross 2.

Astley & Tyldesley MWC 'B' 70:

Mike Hack 15 (1), Roy Heslop 12 (2), Dylan Radcliffe 8, Tom Hall 8, Warren Mee 8, Charlie Keirl 7, Gavin Kennedy 6 (2), Ewan Tulloch 6 (1).

Referee - Chris Cooke.