Astley & Tyldesley competed in the Northern K.O. Cup event at Edinburgh on Sunday. Already missing Tomasz Wlodarczyk, any chance that A & T had of winning this elusive trophy (perennial runners-up, but never winners) disappeared when Remi Burchardt pulled out at short notice (the third consecutive time that he has pulled out of a trip to Edinburgh).

Despite this, A & T put up a spirited showing on a very slippery track, as the rain fell throughout the match. Darek Kurkowski was in great form, losing only once to Craig Newsome, with the other riders all picking up vital points. Andy Knowles took a heavy fall when comfortably in 2nd place in heat 6, after a mechanical problem, and the three lost points cost A & T a deserved 3rd place on the day.

Edinburgh and Hull had a real tussle for the Cup throughout the match, but the home team pulled clear in the closing stages to take their first ever Northern Cup win.

Northern Cup result

Edinburgh 51: Alan Smith 15, Lee Lawrence 12, Craig Newsome 12, Neil McPherson 6, Jake Slight 6

Hull 46: Adam Stephenson 15, Matt Beharell 13, Andy Angell 10, Lewis Aylmer 8

Heckmondwike 35: Darren Kent 12, James Carter 11, Andrew Bradshaw 6, Richard Westcott 6

Astley & Tyldesley 34: Darek Kurkowski 15, Roy Heslop 8, Mike Hack 6, Andy Knowles 5

Bury 31: Neil Howarth 12, Fred Rothwell 9, Mikey Hewitson 5, Simon Rothwell 5