Astley & Tyldesley raced to a convincing victory in the opening round of the Northern Fours League series at Gin Pit on Sunday. A & T controlled the match throughout, with Darek Kurkowski racing unbeaten, and Chris Finnigan and Tomasz Szwajorek losing once each to Stockport's Danny White and Steve Ward respectively. Danny Hughes pulled off some fine passes and controlled riding. Stockport emerged from a keenly fought three way contest to finish 2nd, ahead of Bury's non Premier League squad and Stoke. The Potters were unlucky to lose Simon Munden through injury in heat 11 after a clash with Ian Graham - an incident that saw the Stockport rider excluded.

Northern Fours League result:

Astley & Tyldesley MWC 57 Stockport 38 Bury 33 Stoke 31.

A & T: Darek Kurkowski 16, Chris Finnigan 15, Tomasz Szwajorek 15, Danny Hughes 11.

Stockport: Steve Ward 14, Danny White 12, Warren Mee 6, Jeff Radcliffe 4, Ian Graham 2.

Bury: Dave Murphy 10, Fred Rothwell 10, Steve Muff 7, Dave O'Callaghan 6.

Stoke: Richard Harrison 11, Leighton Bates 6, Simon Munden 5, Rob Machin 5, Adam Ellis 4.

Referee - Rob Mawhood (Sheffield).

Astley & Tyldesley finished 3rd in the subsequent Northern Junior League match. George Hughes was beaten only once in the Senior Combination category, with Mike Hack dropping just two points. However, it is a major concern for the club that once again, only one young rider turned out.

Northern Junior League result:

Stockport 105 Sheffield 98 Astley & Tyldesley MWC 64 Edinburgh 47 Hull 45 Stoke 21 Bury 19 Heckmondwike 0.

A & T scorers: George Hughes 15, Mike Hack 14, Charlie Keirl 12, Mark Taylor 12, Roy Heslop 11.

Sheffield were big victors in the day's other Northern Fours League match.

Northern Fours League result:

Sheffield 54 Hull 41 Heckmondwike 33 Edinburgh 25.