ASTLEY & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway Club lost 98-79 to Midlands rivals Sandwell in the opening match of the Midlands/North League Division 1 at Gin Pit on Sunday.

A & T did not enjoy the best of fortune, with Remi Burchardt shedding a chain when in the lead in heat eight and Chris Finnigan was in the wars with several heavy falls and excluded twice.

European Champion Damian Zareba showed all his class and raced unbeaten. Burchardt won three races while Frank Finnigan was always in the thick of the action.