BURY Comets laid down a marker for the Northern Cycle Speedway League with a 92-87 victory at previously unbeaten Astley and Tyldesley.

Ben Scranage top scored with 19 points from five rides, dropping his only point to A&T's former world number three Radek Handke, who scored a 20-point maximum for the home side.

Kris Ramsden also showed some superb gating and controlled track craft to earn 17 points for the team, while all eight riders contributed to the victory.

Astley had been tipped for the title, but the Comets’ victory opens the possibility for a three-way battle at the top of Division One, though unbeaten Stockport remain favourites.

The Division Two match saw both sides go into the head-to-head on the back of unbeaten starts to the season, but it was A&T who maintained their 100 per cent record with a tight 76-74 victory.

The lead changed hands regularly throughout the encounter, with only three of the 15 races ending in a draw.

For the Comets, James Elston was peerless, taking a paid maximum, with excellent back-up from Adam Turnbull, Steve Mann and Chas Whalley.

Despite the best efforts of Daniel Miller and his colleagues, the Comets lost their Division Three fixture 163-63 against the undisputed masters of this Grand Prix style format.

Bury had nine riders competing in the northern section of the British Youth and Junior League on Saturday at Sheffield.

Louis Turner and Duncan Whalley had the best results, finishing second overall in the under-12s and u8s competitions, respectively.

Results

Northern Cycle Speedway League

Division One: Astley & Tyldesley 87 Bury 92.

Ben Scranage 19 (from 5 rides), Kris Ramsden 17 (5), Chris Parish 16 (5), James Elston 12+2 (5), Will Owens 11+1 (5), Neil Howarth 8+2 (5), Dawid Renc 5 (3), Adam Turnbull 4 (3).

Division Two: Astley & Tyldesley 76 Bury 74

James Elston 18+2 (5), Adam Turnbull 15 (5), Steve Mann 14 (5), Dawid Renc 10 (4), Chas Whalley 9 (5), Louis Turner 7+1 (5), Daniel Miller 1 (1).

Division Three: Astley & Tyldesley 163 Bury 63.

Daniel Miller 14, Josh Neath 12, Lewis Habib 10, Sean Etheridge 10, Duncan Whalley 6, Hermoine Whalley 6, Angel Etheridge 5.

British Youth and Junior League (Grand Prix points shown in brackets)

U8s: Final – 1 Joe Brownell (25), 2 Duncan Whalley (Bury 20), 3 Lucy Grantham (18).

U10s: B final – 1 Joe Quarmby (14), 2 Angel Etheridge (Bury 13), 3 Hermoine Whalley (Bury 12).

U12s: Final – 1 Tom Whitwam (25), 2 Lewis Turner (Bury 20), 3 Kielan Burton (18), 4 Shaun Fairbrother (16). B final – 1st Lewis Habib (Bury 14), Josh Neath (Bury 13), Daniel Miller (Bury 12).

U14s: B final – 1 Louis Wright (14), 2 Kaysor Mohammedi (Bury 13), 3 Evan Swaby (12), 4 Jack Lister (11). C final – Sean Etheridge (Bury 9).