Astley & Tyldesley took on Tameside in a top of the table Northern League match at Gin Pit on Sunday, when another hot, sunny day greeted the teams.

A & T took an early 4 points lead, but Tameside levelled after heat 4. The next race effectively decided the match, when A & T's Chris Finnigan and Tameside's Steven Ward crashed heavily on the 2nd lap. There was a lengthy delay whilst both riders received treatment from the St. John Ambulance personnel, but although Ward was able to continue despite a wrist injury, nasty facial injuries ruled Finnigan out of the remainder of the match. The loss of a top rider was a major handicap for A & T, but they battled gamely and held Tameside to a 2 points lead with just four races remaining. The visitors though sealed the match, and effectively the league title, with two late 7-3 heat wins to run out winners 79 - 71.

Frank Finnigan was in tremendous form for A & T, racing unbeaten for the second successive match, with good back up from Tomasz Wlodarczyk. Chris Finnigan won the only race he completed. Tameside had the edge with the 'B' grade riders, with Chris Eaton and Mark Wylie both scoring heavily and receiving solid support from the rest of the team.

This result maintains Tameside's unbeaten run in the league, whilst A & T remain 2nd, having lost two matches, both to Tameside.

Northern League match result:

Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct 71 Tameside 79.

A & T: Frank Finnigan 19 (plus 1 bonus), Tomasz Wlodarczyk 17, Rob Longworth 10 (1), Ewan Tulloch 10, Damien Hack 6, Chris Finnigan 4, Warren Mee 3, Jeff Radcliffe 2.

Tameside: Chris Eaton 17 (1), Mark Wylie 17 (1), Danny White 14 (1), Steven Ward 12 (1), Brian Eaton 11 (3), Alan Taylor 7, Dave Blinston 1.

Referee - Mike Hack (Astley & Tyldesley).