Heysham Atoms 0 - Seaton Rangers 36

THE Atoms were unceremoniously dumped out of the National Cup, at the first attempt, by a youthful Seaton Rangers side from the Cumbria's first division.
This competition has in the past been a good one for the Atoms, but on the day they were comprehensively beaten by a more skillful and a more ambitious team that not only won the attacking duel but inflicted the Atoms first 'nilling' at home for a number of seasons.
The Atoms started brightly making a good play from the kick off regaining possession after forcing the Seaton player into touch. A steady set of six seemed to settle the nerves, but a confident Seaton side brought the ball back with interest.
A switch of play to the blind by the scrum half created an overlap and the chance was taken. As has been the case all too often this season, the Atoms had fallen behind to an early score.
Liam Hall thrived on the physical nature of the early exchanges putting in a couple of aggressive hits but it was wider out that the Atoms had problems in nailing their man.
Seaton's tidy half backs distributed well and found runners hitting the holes in the Atoms' defence. Immediate support for the ball carriers made sure that they either made big meters or the chances were taken.
Two such breaks were rounded off, one on the left and one on the right wing giving the Workington outfit a 14-0 lead.
The Atoms problems were further compounded on the twenty minute mark when centre Mike Hope was given his marching orders.
He attempted to charge a kickdown on the last, committing himself to the challenge. An over-reaction from the referee saw the centre dispatched to the side-lines for the rest of the match.
A carbon copy score from Seaton, showing excellent support play, rounded off the action for the first period giving them an 18-0 lead.
A shuffle of resources for the Atoms was needed with Hope's departure and Freedman leaving the field with illness.
Dave McVernon and Steve Bowman came into the forward pack and Pete Simpson took his place on the left wing.
It was always going to be difficult with 12 men covering the vast expanses of the college pitch, but a spirited performance was required and although they did not play to anything near their potential, there were glimmers of resistance.
Keith Hartlebury was trying to drive his forwards on and he began to break the game up with some chip and chases around the play the balls.
Second rower Steve Bowman went close being tackled just short after good work from Gregory and Aldren.
Richardson at full back was having to do more than his fair share of work in defence and when his chances came, which were limited, he showed a good pair of heels in attack.
The Atoms were not doing themselves any favours giving away so much territory and possession through a string of penalties, from a whistle happy referee.
This advantage to Seaton was always going to take its toll and the side-stepping centre found his way over before his hooker dived over at short range after some sloppy Atoms defending.
Dave Mcvernon is usually in the action one way or the other and he could not be kept quiet for long. Firstly he saw off his opposite number before making the Atoms' break of the game.
A tap tackle from Seaton's hooker just brought him down after he had blasted through two defenders.
There was still a chance to get over the line with a telling kick on the last. Seaton's full back bravely recovered the ball and the Atoms' chance of getting on the board had gone.
Fittingly Seaton finished the scoring wide out on the left wing taking their total to 36 points for the day.
The Atoms must now try and build their shot confidence before a very important league game against Burtonwood next Saturday.

ATOMS: Richardson, Allan, Cambidge, Hope, Freedman, Helme, Holmes, Weed, Hartlebury, Aldren, Shaw, Hall, Gregory. Reserve: bowman, McVernnon, simpson, Pike.