Event: 31 March 2013
Location: Heckmondwike Cycle Speedway, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire
Report: Mike Hack, Press Officer, Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare CSC

Astley & Tyldesley chalked up their first win of the season with an 80-70 win at Heckmondwike in Sunday's Northern League Division 1 match. The Heckmondwike track had passed a track inspection the previous day, after being under ice and snow for the past week or so. On a cold, bright day, conditions were soft, which tested the riders' fitness.

A&T opened up with two 6-4 heat wins and were still 4 points up at the interval. The visitors were quick out of the traps with a 7-3 heat win to the Reece Pollitt and Danny Swales pairing in heat 9 to double the lead. A great ride by George Hughes saw him keep Adam Watson at the back for a shared heat in the following race to maintain the 8 points lead. A&T put in two late 6-4 heat wins to go 12 points up, before the home side claimed inside grids for the last race, taking a 6-4 win to make the final score 70-80.

For Heckmondwike, Pawel Idziorek rode to an impressive 20 points maximum, with Darren Kent winning three races, losing only to Danny Hughes. A&T were excellently led by Danny Hughes, Reece Pollitt and Danny Swales, who collectively won seven races. The key to A&T's win came with a solid scoring team, with every rider contributing and showing excellent teamwork, as the visitors ran only three last places in the match. The hard work put in pre-season training paid off in the conditions.

Northern League match result

Heckmondwike 70 Astley & Tyldesley 80

Heckmondwike: Pawel Idziorek 20, Darren Kent 17, Adam Watson 11 (1), Justin Naylor 9, Laura Watson 8, William Naylor 5.

A&T: Reece Pollitt 18, Danny Swales 17 (1), Danny Hughes 17, Ron Makin 10 (2), George Hughes 7 (2), Roy Heslop 7 (1), Matthew Snell 4 (1).