Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct had two entrants for the British Indoor Individual Cycle Speedway Championships at Cheslyn Hay, near Cannock at the weekend.

Becky Heslop comfortably qualified at the 2nd attempt for the U-13 Final, looking most assured in the Pre-Qualifying event. In the final, she turned in an impressive showing to total 12 points, including a race win and two second places, to finish in 8th place. A much higher placing is an achievable goal next year, as she is still eligible for this event.

Former champion Damien Hack was keen to take the U-19 title to make up for missing last year's event through injury. Like Becky, he comfortably qualified for the final at the 2nd attempt. Unfortunately, the referee for the final was the infamous Pete Dalley, of Sandwell, and he continued his long running vendetta against the Astley & Tyldesley club, and Damien Hack in particular, by making two disgraceful decisions which saw the A & T skipper with just 1 point after 2 races and his hopes ruined once again by this official. Damien finished off with three 2nd places to finish with a total of just 10 points.

Another bad decision by a different official in the following day's Senior Semi-Final saw Damien dumped into the boards by an opponent when in 2nd place in his opening race, and then subsequently excluded for being lapped as he struggled to recover. He then rode well, scoring 9 points from his remaining 4 rides, but the 3 points lost from that first race ended any chances of qualifying for the final.

The Astley & Tyldesley club will be making the strongest possible representations to the British Cycling Federation about the continuing vendetta by Dalley against the Astley & Tyldesley club, and Damien Hack in particular.