Heysham Atoms 20 - Burtonwood Bridge 18

THE ATOMS produced some of their best rugby of the season to beat Burtonwood in vital game between two sides in the division's bottom four.

The win gave Atoms the double over Burtonwood and they are now heading in the right direction but they can not become complacent as they have five away games in their remaining eight.
Thursday's training session didn't go according to plan with winger Rob Freedman and Simon Brooks pulling up lame.

Thankfully the Atoms could call on the services of Andy Garnett and Gary Edwards who has been away travelling for the past 18 months. Both fitted in well and looked like they had never been out of the side. The Atoms had to get off to a steady start after not playing for three weeks.

A penalty on five minutes was stroked over by the reliable Mike Hope but rather than settling the Atoms down it stirred Burtonwood into action. The Warrington side favoured their right centre/wing partnership to spearhead most of their attacks and it was here that the alarm bells started ringing. Burtonwood's first attack seemed to have been snuffed out but when the Atoms failed to match up close to the posts, an offload undid them and they went behind 6-2.

Things got even worse when captain Keith Hartlebury (ribs) and Andy Downey (calf) both had to be withdrawn within the first quarter of the game. The Atoms reshuffled with the versatile Andy Aldren taking on the hooking role and young Russell Birkitt moving to the left wing.
Part of the game plan was to get on the front foot in the forwards before going wide with the backs. Ryan Weed got the necessary yardage allowing Edwards and then Helme to roll onto the Burtonwood defensive line. A beautifully delayed pass by the latter allowed Brian Cambidge a free run to line, bettered by a Hope conversion.

The middle part of the half saw the Atoms under pressure especially on their left wing. Burtonwood's centre caused problems whenever in possession and he created a try for his winger.
Minutes later this combination were at it again, creating an overlap from a scrum feed to Burtonwood, some great scrambling defence from Richardson stopped the charge but the ball was swung right back to the other wing where the try was posted.

The Atoms had to dig in and survive this period of Burtonwood and they came out the other end with an excellent score. Edwards and Shaw exchanged passes before Mike Hope chipped and chased ahead. The bounce favoured the Atoms and Andy Garnett collected the ball without breaking stride, beat the cover to score wide on the right, taking the Atoms in at half time behind 12-18.

After half-time, the Atoms produced a controlled 40 minutes with completion rates and kicking game of a high standard. The Atoms had a few scares but Guy Richardson was faultless in his fielding of the ball from full back, helped out by Steve Bowman. He lifted his game in the second period inspiring his fellow forwards to do the same.

Bowman was involved in the Atoms vital try of the game. He offloaded to Aldren and he in turn delayed his pass to Dave McVernon who set off on a trademark run, rounding the full-back with ease and scoring close to the posts making Hope's conversion relatively easy, bringing the scores level at 18-18.

The Atoms simplified their game, keeping possession and employing a good kick and chase game. Everyone took responsibility, especially Mark Allen and Brian Cambidge who were eager to take the ball at every opportunity. The ring-rustiness of the first half had now passed and the Atoms were playing with increased authority.

Gary Edwards at stand-off was a revelation in his return to Atoms colours laying his mark on the game with tidy distribution of the ball and leading the tackle count with 30 plus tackles.
The game's defining moment came with 15 minutes remaining when a Burtonwood forward said something derogatory to the referee.

Mike Hope stepped up to take the penalty kick from 35 metres out and his accurate kick sailed over to put the Atoms into a deserved lead at 20-18. An Edwards drop goal attempt hit the upright after an outstanding Elliot Pyrah offload had got his team within range. The Atoms put a stranglehold on the game and limited Burtonwood's chances with some superior defence.
An outstanding Dave McVernon tackle and a mini rumble with Andy Aldren and his opposite number ended a fantastic victory for the Heysham Atoms.

Next Saturday the Atoms scheduled opponents find themselves with a National cup game so the Atoms are desperately trying to re-arrange a fixture to keep the momentum going.
The Atoms are running a trip to the Challenge Cup final in Cardiff on April 25-27. There are still some places available on the coach. Call Brian Cambidge (01524) 416794.

20 February 2003

ATOMS: Richardson, Downey, Hope, Garnett, Allan, Edwards, Helme, Weed, Hartlebury, Aldren, Bowman, Shaw, Cambidge. Res. Pyrah, McVernon, Pike, Birkitt.