British Indoor Team Championship

(2004 Web-site Archive)

Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway were in action at Broughton Recreation Centre, Salford on Sunday in the British Indoor Team Championships. A & T made a bright start in their qualifier, but were rocked by falls in three successive races, to put them in 3rd place, and 7 points adrift of the 2nd placed team after just 6 races. However, the Gin Pit outfit recovered their composure and steadily reeled in Wednesfield, before playing it safe in the last few races to ensure that they reached the 39 points necessary for a place in the Semi-Finals. Former British Indoor Champion Chris Finnigan reeled off three superb wins, after the upset of a highly controversial opening ride, when he was impeded by a lapped rider, resulting in him falling whilst leading, with the referee taking no action.

British Indoor Team Championship Qualifying Match 2 result:

Stoke 50 Wednesfield 41 Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct 40 Somersham 21.

A & T's hopes of making their first ever British Indoor Team Final were dealt a blow when arguably the top four teams in the tournament were all drawn in the 1st Semi-Final. A match of the highest quality took place, that was full of fast, exciting racing and no shortage of controversy. Indoor cycle speedway at its best! At the halfway stage, Horspath led with 23 points, from Stoke on 22 with Tameside (17) and A & T (16) looking out of it. However, A & T bounced back with another great recovery, and with three races to go were just 1 point behind both Horspath and Stoke. Unfortunately for the Gin Pit team, they couldn't quite pull it off, and ended 5 points behind the leading two. Once again, agonisingly close to that maiden British Indoor Team Final appearance. Frank and Chris Finnigan were both in magnificent form for A & T, with Chris again on the receiving end of a decision that was contested by A & T when he ended up in the boards, after being dumped there by an opponent, and with his front forks wrecked in the process.

British Indoor Team Championship Semi-Final 1 result:

Horspath 43 Stoke 42 Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct 37 Tameside 35.

Horspath went on to easily win the final, scoring 52 points, ahead of Stoke (37), Wednesfield (33) and Bury (31).

Bury won the Junior Team Final, scoring 43 points, ahead of Sheffield (41), Horspath (35) and Sandwell (34).

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