ASTLEY & Tyldesley MWC crashed out of the British Cycle Speedway Team Championship at the weekend.

They travelled to the Black Country to take on Sandwell and were beaten 93-87 in the first round, despite winning 11 of the 18 races.

Sandwell's greater strength in depth proved decisive, despite some tremendous efforts by the Gin Pit side.

The home side took the lead with a 6-4 win in heat 2 and remarkably their lead fluctuated between 2 and 6 points over the remaining 16 races.

A&T's Damien Hack was the match's top scorer, a remarkable achievement

for a 14 year old in a senior match, winning four races and finishing second in his other race.

Martin Phillips was also in great form, pulling off some fine wins from the back, with a most encouraging return from Gavin Creaney, riding his first match for five years.

A&T scorers: Damien Hack 19, Martin Phillips 16, Gavin Creaney 15, Mike Hack 12 (1 bonus), Russell Holland 11 (2), Robert Black 7, Lee Harper 6, Bill Phillips 1.

A&T begin their Midlands/North League Division 2 campaign with a home match against Sandwell on Sunday, April 30. Racing starts at 2pm at the Gin Pit circuit.