Astley & Tyldesley took on Premier League leaders Wednesfield in Sunday's encounter at Gin Pit. A & T put up a brave fight, but the Aces had greater strength in depth, and took the points 99-81, in a very professional display. The track was watered before hand, but dried out quickly in the warm breeze, and the visitors adapted better to the conditions, taking a 12 points lead after just five races. A & T's Polish star Darek Kurkowski dropped just one point, to British Champion Lee Aris in heat 3, after leading up to the last bend. Fellow Pole Tomasz Wlodarczyk also recorded four wins, after a first race last place. Terry Norman top scored for the visitors, losing twice to Kurkowski. A & T didn't enjoy the best of fortune, with Andy Angell twice suffering machine failures, the second after a brilliant pass on Aris, and then Lee Phillips suffered a broken scaphoid after a first bend clash (pictured) with Scott Doherty in heat 14.

Premier League match result

Astley & Tyldesley 81 Wednesfield 99

A & T: Darek Kurkowski 19, Tomasz Wlodarczyk 17, Steve Ward 12 (2), Remi Burchardt 12, Craig Newsome 7, Andy Angell 6, Ewan Tulloch 6, Lee Phillips 2.

Wednesfield: Terry Norman 17 (1), Lee Aris 15 (1), Marcus Wadhams 14 (2), Garry Pearce 14 (2), Marcin Szymanski 13, Scott Doherty 11 (1), Chris Timms 8 (1), Chris Jewkes 7 (1).

Referee - John Whiting (Bury).

Wednesfield also won the Combination match, 88-41, with veteran Mike Hack stopping a whitewash scoreline, twice keeping young Matt Haddock at bay, whilst the other Wednesfield riders all rode unbeaten. Both sides picked up a bonus point for fielding separate teams.

Premier Combination League match result

Astley & Tyldesley 'B' 41 Wednesfield 'B' 88

A & T: Mike Hack 8 (1), Laura Allen 8, Joe Allen 8, Roy Heslop 7, Adam Watson 6, Adam Phillips 4.

Wednesfield: Tom Haddock 15 (1), Stuart Bentley 15 (1), Dale Peace 14 (2), Sam Smith 14 (2), Matt Haddock 14 (1), Mick Aris 9 (3), Mick Pedley 7 (1).