BURY Comets and opponents Astley and Tyldesley set a new participation record in this weekend’s Northern League Division Three cycle speedway encounter.

A total of 35 riders competed in the flexible Grand Prix format, which allows for an unlimited number of under-13s age category riders to take part.

Such is the strength in depth of the two clubs, the match progressed into the early evening, with the Comets eventually running out 206-149 winners.

Earlier in the day, the seniors carded a convincing 105-73 win over the visitors.

Chris Parish was immaculate in taking an unbeaten 20 points, lowering the colours of former European Champion Damian Zareba in the process.

Elsewhere, some excellent racing saw Bury take heat wins in 11 of the 18 races.

The Division Two encounter followed a similar pattern, as the experienced Comets' team put A&T to the sword 92-57.

But every race was a fiercely competitive affair, typical of the derby fixture.

Danny Taylor, Adam Turnbull and James Elston were untroubled, with some excellent scoring from Adam Taylor and Kaysar Mohammadi.

Special mention also for Josh Neath and Harry Radford, who stepped up from Division Three, racing for the reserve slots in this second-tier match.

The forthcoming weekend is a relatively quiet one for the Comets, with just the club individual on Sunday at 1pm.

Midweek training on Tuesdays and Thursdays continues, with all riders welcome.

Bury Comets scorers

Northern League Division One: Chris Parish 20 (from five rides), Kristian Ramsden 16+2 (5), James Elston 15+3 (5), Neil Howarth 15+2 (5), Ben Scranage 13+4 (5), Danny Taylor 12+1 (5), Adam Turnbull 10 (4), Steve Mann 4 (2).

Division Two: James Elston 19+1 (5), Adam Taylor 18+1 (5), Danny Taylor 17+3 (5), Adam Turnbull 17+3 (5), Kaysar Mohammadi 12 (4), Steve Mann 6 (4), Harry Radford 2 (1), Josh Neath 1 (1).

Division Three: Kaysar Mohammadi 16, Adam Taylor 16, Harry Radford 14, Louis Turner 14, Daniel Miller 13, Sean Etheridge 12, Josh Neath 12, Lucas Fielding 11, Lewis Habib 11, Dean Nolan 11, Duncan Whalley 11, Charlie Thacker 10, Dane Brookes 9, Thom Deakin 9, Angel Etheridge 9, Zac Thacker 9, Louis Roberts 8, Sheldon Nolan 6, Kaci Neath 5.