Astley & Tyldesley entertained both Bury and Stockport in a pre-season challenge match at Gin Pit on Sunday. It proved to be an extremely strenuous work-out for all riders, as the track had to be cleared of snow before racing could commence, with conditions very heavy. This of course is at a time when riders' fitness levels are well short of their peaks!

Bury took the honours in the 'A' team match, scoring 46 points, from Stockport on 39 and Astley & Tyldesley on 35. A & T's two new Polish signings, Tomasz Szwajorek and Darek Kurkowski, both acquitted themselves well, each scoring 11 points out of a possible 16. Highlight of the match for A & T was a great 7-3 by Szwajorek and George Hughes over British Champion Terry Norman in heat 4.

'A' Teams Challenge Match result

Bury 46: Damian Zareba 16, Remi Burchardt 14 (1), Ben Scranage 9 (1), Neil Howarth 7 (1).

Stockport 39: Terry Norman 12 (1), Chris Eaton 12, Steven Ward 9 (2), Danny White 6.

Astley & Tyldesley 35: Tomasz Szwajorek 11, Darek Kurkowski 11, Danny Hughes 7 (3), George Hughes 6 (1).

Referee - Brian Eaton (Stockport).

Stockport took the 'B' team match, aided with two Bury riders, scoring 48 points, from Bury on 42 and Astley & Tyldesley on 26.

'B' Teams Challenge Match result

Stockport 48: John Whiting 13 (2), Mike Parish 13 (2), Warren Mee 13, Jeff Radcliffe 7 (1), Derek Garnett 2.

Bury 42: Chris Parish 13, Ashley Simpson 12 (2), Tom Doyle 11 (1), Scott Jarman 6 (1).

Astley & Tyldesley 26: Mark Taylor 9, Joe Allen 7 (1), Steven Kellett 6, John Nuttall 4.

Referee - Brian Eaton (Stockport).

Astley & Tyldesley won a Combination Challenge match, beating Stockport 66-54. Mike Hack raced unbeaten, with Joe Allen dropping just one point to Alan Taylor. Congratulations go to both Joe Allen and John Nuttall on completing two matches in such gruelling conditions.

Combination Challenge Match result

Astley & Tyldesley 66: Mike Hack 16, Joe Allen 15, Roy Heslop 13 (1), John Nuttall 10 (3), Maurice Radcliffe 7, Laura Allen 5.

Stockport 54: Alan Taylor 14, Derek Garnett 11 (1), Matthew Lush 9 (2), Ben Higham 9, Dylan Radcliffe 7 (1), Jack Lush 4.

Referee - Gary Nuttall (Astley & Tyldesley).