ASTLEY & Tyldesley's hopes of winning the Midlands/North League Division 2 took a dent when they lost 78 - 72 at Sheffield on Sunday.

The match was lost for the Gin Pit men in three disastrous races, heats 2,3 and 4, falling 10 points behind as they failed to master a very slippery track.

The visitors settled to their task after that and fought back well, recording two maximum 7-3 heat wins during the 2nd half. Sheffield however, held on for a deserved victory.

For Astley & Tyldesley, captain Damien Hack was in brilliant form, scoring a 20 points maximum on a track that he doesn't particularly like but always scores well on.

Good back-up came from Russell Holland, Mike Hack and comeback rider Martin Phillips, each after their opening rides.

Final score: Sheffield 78 Astley & Tyldesley 72. A & T scorers: Damien Hack 20, Russell Holland 15 (plus 2 bonus), Mike Hack 14 (1), Martin Phillips 13 (1), Steve Holland 5, Bill Phillips 5.

ASTLEY & Tyldesley will be staging the British Team Semi-Finals and Final, on behalf of the British Cycling Federation, at the Gin Pit circuit on Sunday 17th September. East London take on Southampton in the first semi-final, with multi-champions Poole taking on the holders Wednesfield in the other semi-final.

ASTLEY & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Cycle Speedway were in action at Stockport on Sunday. Racing in a Northern Senior Fours League match, A & T were in close contention with Hull for 2nd place for most of the match, before falling behind in the closing stages to finish 3rd. Mike Hack was A & T's sole race winner but it was son Damien who top scored with four 2nd places.

Final score: Bury 59 Hull 38 Astley & Tyldesley 35 Stockport 27. A & T scorers: Damien Hack 12, Mike Hack 10, Russell Holland 8, Brian Bowden 5.

DAMIEN Hack scored a maximum 16 points in the U-16 category of the Northern Junior League match. This puts him one point behind the leader in the Individual Grand Prix series, despite missing last month's round due to being on holiday.

Final score: Sheffield 116 Tameside 79 Hull 63 Astley & Tyldesley 44 Bury 35 Heckmondwike 35 Stockport 11. A & T scorers: Damien Hack 16, Mike Hack 11, Russell Holland 11, Brian Bowden 6.

A&T skipper Damien Hack was in top form in the British U-16 Grand Prix Round round at Wednesfield, Wolverhampton on Saturday.

He recorded three superb wins and a second place from his four qualifying races to total 15 points.

However, a curious interpretation of the rules governing qualification for the 'A' Final ruled him out, due to missing last month's round at Ipswich through being on holiday, even though his performance on Saturday and overall standing in the series merited an 'A' Final place.

To make matters worse, the 'B' Final was re-run due to other riders tangling when he was in the lead, and then he finished 3rd in the re-run.

A disappointing end to a superb day's performance.

ON Sunday, Astley & Tyldesley take on Hull in the crucial final match of the Midlands/North League Division 2.

Racing at the Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Club, Gin Pit starts at 3 pm. Admission and car parking free, spectators welcome.