Astley & Tyldesley made the long trip to Dorset, to take on 12 times British Team Champions, Poole, in Sunday's Premier League match. This was definitely a big challenge for A & T to take on such strong opposition on their own circuit. In front of a large crowd, on an superbly prepared track, A & T gave an excellent account of themselves, and made Poole work really hard for their victory. Five of A & T's eight riders won races, with skipper Tomasz Wlodarczyk pulling off a great ride to beat the World Champion, Australian Daniel Pudney, in heat 7. That was Pudney's only defeat, whilst Tomasz lost to Adam Peck in heat 11 and then to a gate exclusion in the last race. Wlodarczyk, Darek Kurkowski, Remi Burchardt and new signing from Stoke, Simon Munden, all scored well throughout the match. Munden, Kurkowski and Craig Newsome all took heavy falls, but bravely continued after treatment. Both teams provided nine race winners apiece, but Poole displayed their renowned teamwork to regularly pack the minor places, and that proved decisive. All in all, it was a great match, which saw cycle speedway at its very best in every respect.

Premier League match result

Poole 94 Astley & Tyldesley 78

Poole: Daniel Pudney 17 (2), Mark Everingham 13 (2), Adam Peck 13 (1), Ben Donohue 12 (1), Chris Roberts 11 (2), Dave Murphy 10 (2), Karol Wlodarczyk 10, Kevin Lowman 8.

A & T: Tomasz Wlodarczyk 15, Darek Kurkowski 13 (1), Remi Burchardt 13 (1), Simon Munden 13, Gavin Kennedy 9, Craig Newsome 8 (1), George Hughes 5, Mike Hack 2.

Referee - Terry Ashford (Suffolk).

Poole also took the Combination match, beating A & T's second strings, 104-69. A & T conceded 45 penalty points after using three ineligible riders. Poole picked up a bonus point for fielding a separate team.

Premier Combination League match result

Poole 'B' 104 Astley & Tyldesley 'B' 69

Poole: Jake Burns 15 (1), Luke Armes 10, Richard Chappell 9 (1), Jake Williams 8, Jessica Lamb 6 (3), Ashley Stafford 6 (2), Phil Norwood 5.

A & T: Remi Burchardt 19, Darek Kurkowski 17, Tomasz Wlodarczyk 16, Mike Hack 7 (1), Roy Heslop 7 (1), Beccy Heslop 3.