ASTLEY and Tyldesley opened their cycle speedway season with a win at reigning Northern League champions Hull on Sunday.

Both teams observed a minute’s silence before the match in memory of long serving A&T helper, Ron Hack, who had died earlier in the week.

The match got underway and some terrific racing took place.

A&T took control, aided by some misfortune to Hull with several riders falling, to open up a 17 points lead at the interval.

The track was swept and heavily watered during the interval and this changed things dramatically.

It was now A&T’s turn to encounter falls and exclusions and just three races later, Hull had closed the gap to five points.

However, the track dried out in a strong wind and A&T recovered to run out winners 94-82.

Rafal Dulinski made a most impressive debut, winning three races and suffering an unfortunate exclusion for slowing in heat 11.

All the other A&T riders weighed in with important contributions and recorded an impressive win against a Hull side that fought hard throughout the match.

A&T’s youngsters put in a good display against a more experienced Hull team in the Combination match.

Ben Dickenson, Luke Jamson and Andy Knowles all won races, with Laura Watson, Adam Watson and debutant Colin Farn all beating older opponents.

A&T trailed by four points with four races left before Hull put in a late charge to run out 67-53 winners.