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Astley & Tyldesley made the long haul to Scotland to take on Edinburgh
in Sunday's Northern League encounters. On a bitterly cold day,
Edinburgh had been spared the worst of the recent winter weather. Track
conditions improved as the meeting progressed, a heavy track drying out
during the afternoon to finish up as a good race circuit.
Polish star Przemek Binkowski, the World No.5, made a welcome
re-appearance in A&T colours for the first time since A&T were last in
Division One in 2009. Despite not having any on track training this
winter, due to severe weather in Poland, he won all his five races to
record a 20 points maximum score. The rest of A&T's riders battled hard
throughout, but found a solid scoring and well drilled Edinburgh team a
tough nut to crack, with Lee Lawrence making a welcome return after a
two years' absence. A&T took a 6-4 race advantage in heat 1, but
Edinburgh hit back with a 7-3 score in the next race and were never
headed after that, running out 94-55 winners.
Northern League Division 1 result
Edinburgh 94 Astley & Tyldesley 55
Edinburgh: Mikey Hewitson 15 (4), Kamil Greszla 15, Craig Newsome 14
(3), Lee Lawrence 13 (2), Jake Slight 13 (2), Neil McPherson 13 (1),
Chris Lee 11 (2), Calum Slight dnr.
A&T: Przemek Binkowski 20, Ron Makin 9, Roy Heslop 8, George Hughes 7,
Danny Swales 6, Becky Heslop 4, Ciaran Collins 1, Max Evans dnr.
Referee - Alan Hewitson.
The Division 2 match was a much closer affair. Edinburgh took a 10
points lead after heat 6, but A&T had pegged the gap back to 2 points at
the interval. The scores were close for a few more races, before a late
charge by the home team saw Edinburgh run out 80-65 winners. Danny
Swales, riding his first meeting after a 9 years' absence impressed for
A&T, taking two race wins as he top scored for the visitors. The rest of
the team all battled hard and scored well, making the home team work
really hard for their win. Credit to Roy Heslop for continuing to race
after taking two heavy falls in the match. Mark Lee raced to an
impressive maximum for a solid scoring home team.
Northern League Division 2 result
Edinburgh 80 Astley & Tyldesley 65
Edinburgh: Mark Lee 20, Gavin Kennedy 16 (1), Calum Slight 13 (3), Neil
Swanson 13, Douglas Morgan 10 (1), Ewan Kennedy 8, Callum Cairney dnr,
Sean Hewitson dnr.
A&T: Danny Swales 13, Ron Makin 12 (1), George Hughes 9 (3), Roy Heslop
9 (1), Max Evans 7 (1), Ciaran Collins 7 (1), Daniel Burns 6, Becky
Heslop 2.
Referee - Alan Hewitson.
A&T's under 12 riders romped to a convincing win in the Division 3
match. Max Evans, Matthew Snell and Daniel Burns were all unbeaten by
home riders, as A&T took their second big win so far this season in this
division.
Northern League Division 3 result
Edinburgh 24 Astley & Tyldesley 56
Edinburgh: Callum Cairney 10, Sean Hewitson 10, Jemma McPherson 4.
A&T: Max Evans 15, Matthew Snell 14, Daniel Burns 13, Rhys Burgess 8,
Dan Smith-Makin 6.
Referee - Gavin Kennedy.
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