Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway Club travelled to Sheffield on Sunday for the opening round of the Northern Fours and Junior League series. Having had 14 pre-season on track training sessions, the A & T club were well prepared and looking forward to the start of the season.

In the Fours League, none of A & T winter signings were available, so it was a shadow team that took to the track. However, the CTA Direct sponsored team put in a spirited performance, being narrowly beaten into 3rd place by Heckmondwike, who finished behind clear winners Scotia, of Edinburgh. Veteran Mike Hack top scored in his return to the team, with debutant Matt Winston riding very well to build upon his excellent pre-season training.

Northern Fours League match score:

Scotia 51 Heckmondwike 37 Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct 32

Scotia scorers:

Craig Newsome 15 (plus 1 bonus), Alan Smith 14 (1), Alan Mackie 11 (2), Neil McPherson 7 (1), Chic Mackie 4.

Heckmondwike scorers:

James Carter 15, Darren Kent 12, Sam Westcott 6, Richard Westcott 4.

A & T scorers:

Mike Hack 10 (plus 1 bonus), Matt Winston 9 (1), Lee Harper 6, Rob Longworth 5, Roy Heslop 2.

A & T began their defence of the Northern Junior League title with some excellent individual performances. The home side Sheffield were out in force and ran out convincing winners, but the Astley & Tyldesley riders put in some great performances to take 2nd place on the day. Becky Heslop was outstanding as she raced to a 16 points maximum to begin her defence of the Northern U-13 Grand Prix title. John Nuttall put in a vastly improved performance to score 14 points, including a great ride in the last race when he kept out the previously unbeaten Ashley Birks of Sheffield, finishing 2nd behind Becky Heslop. Debutant Matt Winston put in a fine performance to score 10 points in the U-16 category, but Rob Longworth found the step up to the U-16 category hard going, finishing with 6 points. Lee Harper made an impressive return to the team, scoring 12 points in the U-19 category, including a race win. Finally, in the Senior Combination category, club sponsor Roy Heslop was determined not to be outdone by daughter Becky and he turned in his first ever unbeaten performance, scoring 16, with team mate Mike Hack dropping just 1 point for a 15 points total.

Northern Junior League match score:

Sheffield 137 Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct 89 Scotia 69 Hull 40 Tameside 31 Bury 14.

A & T scorers:

Becky Heslop 16, Roy Heslop 16, Mike Hack 15, John Nuttall 14, Lee Harper 12, Matt Winston 10, Rob Longworth 6.