Astley & Tyldesley travelled to Sandwell for their Midlands / North League Division 2 encounter on Sunday. Minus Mark Wylie and Mike Hack (both injured), Damien Hack (exams) and Russ Holland (retired), A & T drafted in former riders Steve Mills and Lee Wood for their first matches in 5 and 7 years respectively, along with debutant Gary Nuttall. Sandwell are the current Division 2 champions and they showed a much less experienced A & T no mercy, as the Gin Pit outfit suffered their heaviest ever defeat in this League, going down 102-48. Mills was A & T's only race winner, but he added to A & T's woes when suffering a heavy fall 3rd time out and suffering a broken rib which ruled him out of his last two races. Young John Nuttall was also ruled out after taking a heavy fall first time out. Rob Longworth rode well for A & T, but on a wet, heavy track, A & T were glad to see the end of this match.

Midlands / North League Division 2 match score:

Sandwell 102 Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare / CTA Direct 48.

A & T scorers:

Rob Longworth 10, Lee Wood 7, Steve Holland 7, Becky Heslop 7, Steve Mills 6, Chris Heslop 5, Gary Nuttall 4, John Nuttall 2.

On Saturday (1st June), the club hosts the 11th annual Astley & Tyldesley Festival meeting. 46 entries have been received for this ever popular event, which is sponsored by Eagle School of Motoring, of Astley. The racing commences at 2 pm with the Junior event, followed by the Senior event at 4 pm. Spectators are always welcome to watch the racing, with admission and car parking free. The racing takes place at the Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Club, Meanley Road, Gin Pit, Astley.