Latchford Albion 12 - Heysham Atoms 14

THE Atoms travelled to Warrington on Saturday knowing that nothing less than victory would do.

Both sides knew the importance of gaining the two points and it was the Atoms' nerve that held out the stronger.

Atoms had clawed their way back into the game in a tense final quarter to bring the scores level and with 30 seconds remaining on the clock the Atoms were awarded a penalty just inside Latchford's half. A Latchford player took exception to the decision and threw the ball away, giving the referee no option but to make the mark on ten metres. This brought a penalty attempt just into range and up stepped the coolest man on the park - Steve Bowman.

His square kick sailed over the middle of the posts and he was immediately mobbed by his team mates as he had won the game for the Heysham side.
This victory puts clear distance between the bottom two and the Atoms with both sides having to find four victories in their remaining games to overtake Heysham in the table.

Due to injuries and unavailability the Atoms had to field a makeshift backline including debutant Joe Pyrah on the left wing.
He was immediately in the action when on five minutes he was floored by a vicious elbow to the head by Latchford's loose forward. He was dispatched to the sidelines with a red card and took no further part in the game.

The Warrington side made light of their one man down, playing with plenty of width and stretching the Atoms' defensive line. This tactic was to pay off when the Atoms failed to match up on their left wing and Latchford's second rower strode through the gap and over the line.

The first half was a tense, scrappy affair with very few clear cut chances.
The better of these chances were created by Latchford's back division and on a couple of occasions they broke clear.

They were however snuffed out immediately by Atoms' man of the match - full back Guy Richardson, with some textbook smother tackling. His all-round game has come on in leaps and bounds this season, gaining in confidence with every match played. His fielding of the high ball and his yardage gains out of defence were up to the same high standards as his defensive duties.

Coach Dave Crow had to tinker with his back division at the break, with centre Simon Brooks having to withdraw from the action with a back injury. A re-shuffle brought on Mike Holmes whose speed off the mark always causes problems around the play the ball.

Unfortunately it was Latchford who again got out of the blocks quicker and scored within five minutes of the restart. The conversion again failed giving the Latchford side an 8-0 lead. The Atoms had struggled to find any cohesion between the forwards and the backs and this was evident when they were awarded three penalties in succession close to Latchford's line.
They declined the kick at goal in favour of keeping the pressure up but they simply could not break them down and on the third penalty they elected to go for the two points. With Hartlebury and Hope out injured, stand-in kicker Gary Edwards stepped up to slot over the two points.

Latchford's full back and stand-off were the Warrington outfits main playmakers and they combined superbly to extend their lead on the 60 minute mark. A chip over the defensive line was collected and good support rounded off the move. The conversion was missed giving Latchford a 12-2 lead.

The Atoms had to turn the game on its head and this started with a short kick-off by stand-off Edwards. The ball was claimed by Dave McVernon who took the ball deep into Latchford's territory. Good vision from Edwards put Freedman into space and he rounded his winger to score close to the posts, making the conversion easier.

The Atoms now began to believe in their ability and the confidence of the team grew. Two quality drives from Steve Bowman and Liam Hill put Latchford on the back foot and Dave McVernon took full advantage of the retreating defenders crashing over the line to bring the scores level.

Dave McVernon was never too far away from the action and he was adjudged to have impeded Latchford's stand-off as he kicked ahead. The penalty was awarded and Latchford elected to run the ball. They drove towards the sticks looking for the field goal to secure the victory. On the last tackle McVernon made amends for his earlier indiscretion, putting enough pressure on the kicker as he attempted the drop goal. The ball sailed wide and the Atoms regained possession.

With only minutes remaining the call was to hold on to possession and secure the draw. But then they were given that unexpected chance and up stepped man of the moment, Steve Bowman. The joy of his team-mates, coaching staff and spectators was there for all to see giving the Atoms a vital two points.

Atoms: Richardson, Pyrah, Brooks, Allan, Freedman, Edwards, Helme, McVernon, Aldren, Hall, Bowman, Shaw, Cambidge. Res: Holmes, Birkitt, Pike, Helme.