AFTER a break of three weeks Astley & Tyldesley visited the West Midlands to take on old rivals Sandwell in the opening Midlands/North League Division Two match.

A & T's rustiness showed as Sandwell were fitter and sharper to run out comfortable winners 88-61.

Conditions were good at the start of the match, but the inevitable bout of rain increased as the match progressed, leaving conditions decidedly unpleasant at the end of the match. Damien Hack and Russ Holland both won races for the visitors, with veteran Mike Hack also scoring well.

A & T scorers: Damien Hack 15, Mike Hack 13 (plus 1 bonus), Russ Holland 13, Steve Holland 9, Mark Ellis 6 (1), Steffeni Holland 5.

Astley & Tyldesley continue to hold their weekly club training nights every Wednesday, between 7 and 9 pm at the track at the Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Club, Meanley Road, Gin Pit. Newcomers are always welcome.

Two former Astley & Tyldesley riders, Lee Smethills and James Mann, made their debut on Sky Sports recently, racing for Workington in a Premier Speedway League match in atrocious conditions at Sheffield. Both lads, who starred in A & T's 1997 British U-16 Team Championship win, didn't enjoy the best of nights though, with a spectacular fall by Mann in heat two showed several times from numerous camera angles in typical Sky Sports style!