Astley and Tyldesley Cycle Speedway Club fought hard despite defeat to North and Scotland League Division One leaders Sheffield across the Pennines last Sunday.

Hosts Sheffield raced to a convincing 114-66 win, though A&T’s John White won three races and spoiled the maximum hopes of all Sheffield’s big guns.

Terry Norman was A&T’s only other race winner, in heat 15.

Steve Harris took a heavy fall after locking bikes with an opponent in heat 11, and he withdrew from the rest of the meeting with an injured wrist.

North & Scotland League Division One result: Sheffield 114 Astley & Tyldesley 66.

A&T scorers: John White 18, Terry Norman 15, Frank White 10, Josh Pilkington 7, Steve Harris 6, Nahom Tumizghy 5, Oscar Belt 5.

Division Two saw the clash of the two unbeaten teams so far this season, however A&T could only field four eligible riders, following the withdrawal of one rider in the morning and the injury to Harris.

For the first time in many years, A&T had to field ineligible riders, to make up the team, conceding 49 penalty points in the process.

A competitive match followed, with Sheffield winning by 10 points on the track, to take a 59-points win, by 128-69.

The White brothers ensured no Sheffield rider emerged unbeaten.

North & Scotland League Division Two result: Sheffield 128 Astley & Tyldesley 69.

A&T scorers: John White 18 (plus 1 bonus), Frank White 17 (1), Terry Norman 13, Josh Pilkington 9, Nahom Tumizghy 6 (1), Oscar Belt 6.

There was success for A&T in the Division Three match, as they maintained their winning run this season with an emphatic 62-22 win in the rain.

Frank White raced unbeaten, with strong scores from the rest of the team.

Northern League Division Three result: Sheffield 22 Astley & Tyldesley 62.

A&T scorers: Frank White 16, Elijah Rechembei 14, Josh Pilkington 11, Oscar Belt 11. Nahom Tumizghy 10.

Astley & Tyldesley had three riders who contested North & Scotland Regional Round Two of the British Youth & Junior League series at Sheffield the previous day.

And all three riders were in top form, each winning their respective Individual Grand Prix final.

Josh Pilkington, Frank White and John White won the under-12, U14 and U18 finals, respectively.

A&T pipped Sheffield to take second place, behind Hull, in the team event, while the White brothers both raced unbeaten, with Josh Pilkington dropping just a single point.

BYJL team result: Hull 71, Astley & Tyldesley 47, Sheffield 46, Bury 13, Heckmondwike 9.

A&T scorers: Frank White 16, John White 16, Josh Pilkington 15.