Astley & Tyldesley took on local rivals Bury in the opening Midlands/North League match of the season at Gin Pit on Sunday. In the Division 1 match Bury took the lead in the first heat, and held on to it throughout the match, despite the home team's best efforts. There was plenty of good racing in a hard fought match, on a cold day and a fast track. New Polish signing Darek Kurkowski impressed for A & T, dropping just one point in his five races, with fine support from fellow countryman Tomasz Szwajorek (despite machine problems) and A & T skipper Chris Finnigan. Kurkowski featured in all of A & T's three 7-3 heat wins. Bury were well led by their ex A & T Polish duo of Damian Zareba and Remi Burchardt, who both raced unbeaten, with Neil Howarth also scoring well and ran out winners 97-82.

Midlands/North League Northern Section Division 1 and Northern Alliance League result:

Astley & Tyldesley MWC 82 Bury 97

A & T: Darek Kurkowski 18 (1), Tomasz Szwajorek 16, Chris Finnigan 14 (2), Trevor Hulton 11, Danny Hughes 8 (1), Mark Taylor 6 (1), Joe Allen 6, Mike Hack 3.

Bury: Remi Burchardt 19 (1), Damian Zareba 17 (3), Neil Howarth 16 (2), Ben Scranage 13, Paul Dyson 13, Tom Doyle 7, John Whiting 6 (1), Chris Parish 6.

Referee - Jeff Radcliffe (Stockport).

Bury also took the Combination match, 74-46, after taking the lead in heat 3 and never subsequently losing the advantage. Roy Heslop and Mark Taylor both won a race each for A & T. Will Collins and Chris Dyson raced unbeaten for Bury.

Midlands/North League Northern Section Combination Division result:

Astley & Tyldesley MWC 46 Bury 74

A & T: Roy Heslop 11, Mark Taylor 11, Joe Allen 9, Ryan King 6 (1), Laura Allen 5, Charlie Keirl 4.

Bury: Will Collins 14 (2), Chris Dyson 12, Michael Parish 11 (2), Leo Brindley 10 (1), Ashley Simpson 10, Alix Collins 9, Scott Jarman 8 (2).

Referee - Chris Finnigan (Astley & Tyldesley).