Heysham Atoms 17 - Latchford Albion 19

FOR the second time this season the Atoms lost a home league game by a two point margin, failing to nail home their advantage when they were well on top in the first period.
This error-ridden game lacked any continuity from either side with the light drizzle making handling a lottery. A real positive to come from the game for the Heysham Atoms was the return of Guy Richardson, who broke his leg at the end of last season.
He came on at the 30 minute mark slotting into the full-back role, showing sure handling under the high ball, making good yards out of defence into the bargain.
Previous meetings between these two teams have always produced close games and this was no exception.
The Atoms drew first blood on the five minute mark when Walker slotted over a 35 metre penalty after Latchford's defence had failed to get back the required 10 metres.
A period of Latchford pressure close to the Atoms' line was thought to have been relieved when the Atoms were awarded another penalty. From the first drive the ball was spilled, giving the advantage straight back to the Warrington side. The Atoms line could not re-group in time and was breached on the right wing. The conversion failed.
Latchford are renowned for having an aggressive set of forwards but it was the Atoms pack who were making the better progress around the rucks.
Props for the day - Dave McVernon and Andy Aldren - took some big yardage gains before Hartlebury split the full-back and wing with a telling downfield kick.
The chase was good and the pressure exerted forced the error. Centre Brian Cambidge re-positioned himself on the right wing expecting the blind side scrum move. In limited space, the move was worked to perfection, with Cambidge forcing his way over the line for his seventh try in eight games.
Latchford brought the scores back level on the half hour mark with a penalty before the Atoms were dealt a huge blow to their cause.
An innocuous looking tackle from Cambidge on his opposite number saw the Atoms' former player of the season leaving the field with a shoulder injury.
Steve Bowman has worked hard to get his position in the starting line up and he showed a good turn of pace intercepting a Latchford pass on the Atoms' 10 metre line. He made it to within five metres of Latchford's line before being brought down with a desperate tackle.
The tackler held on too long and the penalty was awarded. The Atoms declined the kick and spun the ball out to the right where winger Rob Freedman shot into a huge gap and outpaced the cover for score, again near the right corner flag.
The Atoms had three clear cut chances before the break to force home their advantage but each time the ball was coughed up with the line beckoning. These misses were to prove very costly for the Atoms in the end result.
The Atoms went on the attack from their first possession in the second half. Unfortunately the ball was spilled again with seemingly no pressure from the opposition. The Latchford turn over was achieved and the Atoms were punished severely conceding the score out on the right flank.
The conversion took them two points in the clear. From here on in the confidence seemed to drain out of the Atoms' players and from this moment were chasing the game.
A try saving tackle from Richardson saved the Atoms' blushes shortly after, but this was only putting off the agony as Latchford seemed to be able to open up the Atoms' defence at will. A converted try under the posts, after a neat off-load and a drop goal, put the Warrington side into a comfortable nine point lead.
The Atoms kicking game had begun to fail them so it was back to attack from everywhere as they desperately tried to bring themselves back into the game. Walker slotted a drop goal before the Atoms produced the best rugby of the half. Dave McVernon made the initial thrust from deep inside his own half.
Bowman took play into the Latchford 'red zone' where he found hooker Brian Gregory.
He beat his would-be tackler before drawing the full-back and feeding winger Russ Birkitt who crossed the line.
Unfortunately, try as they might, the Atoms could not add to their score, rueing the missed chances in the first half.
The Atoms have now only won one of their first four league games and although the alarm bells have not started ringing yet, they must find a way to win these tight games, especially at home.

Heysham Atoms: Birkitt, Pike, Downey, Cambidge, Allan, Walker, Helme, McVernon, Brooks, Aldren, Shaw, Bowman, Hartlebury (capt). Reserves: Gregory, Richardson, Freedman, Dutton.