ASTLEY and Tyldesley began their 2022 cycle speedway season in fine style, by winning all three matches at Bury’s Goshen Sports centre, writes Mike Hack

The hosts got off to a flying start in the North and Scotland League Division One match, winning three of the opening six races with maximum scores, to open up a seven-point lead.

However, A&T settled and moved into a one-point lead at the halfway stage. Their superior fitness paid off in the second half and the visitors pulled away to take a comfortable 94-82 victory.

New captain Reece Pollitt raced unbeaten in his six races, with 14-year-old Tom Morrissey excelling in the second half of the match.

A&T scorers: Reece Pollitt 23 (+1 bonus), Tom Morrissey 18 (1), Pierce Bacon 15, Steve Harris 13 (1), Pawel Idziorek 11, Duncan Whalley 9, Paul Graham 5 (1).

The first four races were close in the Division Two match, before two A&T heat wins put them six points up at the halfway stage.

Like the first team match, A&T’s superior fitness paid off in the second half, recording four maximum heat wins to run out convincing 83-64 winners.

Tom Morrissey raced unbeaten for A&T, with Duncan Whalley and 11-year-old Frank White dropping just one point each to an opponent.

A&T scorers: Frank White 19, Tom Morrissey 18 (2), Duncan Whalley 17 (2), David Hamilton 12 (2), Owen Simcock 11 (1), Oscar Belt 5, Harriet Belt 1.

There was an impressive turnout of 13 riders for A&T in the Division Three match, which included nine new recruits since the middle of 2021. Frank White raced unbeaten in the under-13 category, as A&T raced to an emphatic 137-78 win.

A&T scorers: Frank White 16, Levi Edwards 14, Harriet Belt 14, Josh Pilkington 12, Oscar Belt 11, Oliver Fox-Wingfield 10, Chloe Bassett 10, Lincoln Davies 9, Alex Lawless 9, Jasmine Lawless 9, Ted Woods 8, Holly Walmsley 8, Jake Mulholland 7.

A&T are holding weekly club training sessions, open to all new riders, as well as existing club members and from Monday, at 6pm, the club will be holding sessions exclusively for women and girls.

There are three sessions on Tuesdays, open to all categories, at 5.30pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm. For further details, visit the club website at www.astleycyclespeedway.org.uk.