Wigan St Jude's 37 - Heysham Atoms 12

THE ATOMS travelled to Wigan full of optimism after last week's impressive victory at Leigh but some poor early defending meant they could not repeat their success.
Poor preparation could be a factor to this bad start, with the majority of the side only arriving at the ground 15 minutes before kick-off.
The first half was a torment for coach Dave Crow losing the first 40 minutes by 25-2, but a vast improvement in the second half saw the Atoms just nudged out by 12-10.
The Atoms never really came to terms with the referee's interpretation of the 'play the balls' and suffered badly in these areas.
Within the first 20 minutes the Atoms found themselves four scores behind after three converted tries and a drop goal took St Jude's into a 19-0 lead.
All were as a direct result of some shoddy defending that allowed the inside runners big holes to run into.
This was in complete contrast to their attack that was completing their sets and looking lively with the ball in hand.
Ryan Weed, Martin Pike and Mark Allan used the blind side intelligently but the St Jude's' line could not be breached.
Brian Cambidge and Simon Dutton too were held up close to line.
St Jude's strong running full-back returned the ball from deep kicks, from Walker and Hartlebury, always giving his forwards a breather.
His consistency in his yardage gains made him St Jude's best performer on the day.
The Atoms full-back, Russel Birkitt, was too having a fine game with the ball in hand.
His confidence returned in abundance after a quiet game last week, and was well supported by winger Mike Holmes who was popping up all over the field with his eagerness for work.
Slowly and surely the Atoms began to make the one-on-one tackles with more determination and the line looked like it could hold out for more than one set.
A Hartlebury pick up at the base of the scrum put scrum half Helme into a gap.
The resulting tackler held on too long and Walker stepped up to stroke over the penalty and put the Atoms finally on the scoreboard.
Right on half-time the Atoms defence faltered again and in went St Jude's centre to put them in a commanding half-time lead.
Gavin Helliwell, who has been sidelined for the last 12 months with a chest injury, came into the pack to stiffen up the defence.
Helme went into hooker and the lively Mike Holmes came into the scrum half role.
These changes gave the Atoms a more balanced look and allowed Holmes to have more chance with the ball in hand.
The Atoms built up pressure with repeat sets of six on the Wigan team's line.
Twice, on the last tackle, the ball was batted out to safety, giving the Atoms the ball back from a goal line drop out.
The pressure exerted was too much, and after a good charge from Andy Aldren, Dave McVernon propelled himself over the line. Walker converted.
A mistake in the Atoms' ranks 'coughed' the ball up in midfield.
Their defensive line was stretched and St Jude's took full advantage scoring wide out on the right.
A 20 minute period of no points followed when both sides attacked with venom but just couldn't find the finishing touches.
Brian Cambidge broke the stalemate with his trademark burst for the line.
The conversion failed but it did not halt the Atoms' attacks. Gavin Helliwell and Mark Allen both went close near the left hand corner flag.
The last five minutes saw St Jude's enhance their lead when the Atoms failed to react to the runners on the last tackle.
Good support play maintained the momentum of the drive and the try was scored close to the posts making the conversion a formality.
After two weeks on the road the Atoms can look forward to two home games on the trot, starting with Latchford Albion from Warrington this Saturday.

Heysham Atoms: Birkitt, Pike, Cambidge, Allan, Holmes, Walker, A Helme, McVernon, Aldren, R Weed, Dutton, Shaw, Hartlebury.
Reserves: Helliwell, S Weed, C Helme, Crow.