Bury hosted the opening round of the Northern Fours and Junior League Cycle Speedway series on Sunday.

Astley & Tyldesley's big guns were not available for this match, but the new look line-up were quickly in the action in the Northern Fours League match. Home team Bury led throughout for a comfortable win, but there was a real battle between A & T, Goshen and Heckmondwike for the 2nd place. After 10 races A & T were in 2nd place, but the Gin Pit men fell away in the last 6 heats to finish in 4th place. Heckmondwike's James Carter raced unbeaten.

Final score: Bury / Pedalsport 51 Heckmondwike / DB Dental 39 Goshen 36 Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct 33.

Goshen: Steve Mann 10, Scott Jarman 9, Tom Doyle 9, John Whiting 8.

Heckmondwike: James Carter 16, Darren Kent 14, Sam Westcott 5, Richard Westcott 4.

A & T: Jeff Radcliffe 12, Ewan Tulloch 8, Chris Smith 7, Warren Mee 6.

Bury: Neil Howarth 15, Fred Rothwell 13, Paul Dyson 11, Steve Muff 11, David Parrish 1.

Referee - Andy Moody (Hull).

Tameside ran out easy winners in the second Northern Fours League match of the day, with Steve Ward, Brian Eaton and Chris Eaton all racing unbeaten. Sheffield comfortably held 2nd place throughout the match, whilst Hull pulled away from Goshen in the closing races to secure 3rd place.

Final score: Tameside 59 Sheffield 40 Kingston Cycles / Hull 32 Goshen 27.

Goshen: John Whiting 11, Tom Doyle 6, Steve Mann 5, Chris Parrish 3, Michael Parrish 2.

Sheffield: Simon Gamble 12, Mick Knowles 10, Robert Hudson 9, Peter Pearson 7, Adrian Brownell 2.

Hull: Chris Cooke 9, Andy Schofield 9, Darren Spencer 7, Andy Moody 5, Rich Pawson 2.

Tameside: Steve Ward 16, Danny White 15, Brian Eaton 12, Mark Wylie 8, Chris Eaton 8.

Referee - Mike Hack (Astley & Tyldesley).

Four categories were staged for the Northern Junior League match, with all points contributing to an overall match score. Bury's Will Collins raced unbeaten in the U-13 match, followed by Tameside's Chris Eaton racing unbeaten in the U-16 match. Bury's Tom Doyle was unbeaten in the U-19 match, as was team mate Steve Mann in the Senior Combination match. Home team Bury won the match, with a solid scoring Astley & Tyldesley taking 2nd place overall on the day, with defending champions Sheffield Stars in 3rd place. Final score: Bury / Pedalsport 129 Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct 112 Sheffield 87 Kingston Cycles / Hull 54 Tameside 28 Heckmondwike / DB Dental 0.

Mike Hack; Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway Club