Heysham Atoms 26 - Wigan St Judes 33

After the two week Christmas break the Atoms returned to action at the Trimpell against mid-table Wigan St Judes.
Unfortunately, the Atoms carried on where they had left off, lacking the consistency over the 80 minutes that would have surely brought them victory.
At times they flattered only to deceive, showing some impressive passages of play followed by a series of errors that would put them under pressure – with this pressure usually yielding a try to the opposition.
That elusive winning formula has eluded them for most of the season and this was the sixth defeat of the league season – with a margin of seven points or less.
The Atoms took to the field quietly confident, with the side being close to full strength, barring two players on their sick beds.
Enthusiasm
As has been the case in many of the games this season the Atoms conceded an early score.
The kick off was a well placed one enabling the Atoms to exert some early pressure. Over enthusiasm in the tackle drew the first penalty from a whistle happy referee.
The Atoms were slow to react and St Judes' prop created a big hole in the Atoms defence. His hooker was on his shoulder to take the scoring pass to go under the posts with less than five minutes gone.
Ryan Weed tried to settle his fellow forwards down taking on the hard yards down the middle of the park. He drew a penalty 30 metres out, after a high shot in the tackle.
The Atoms declined the easy looking kick and attacked towards the left wing. Cambidge was held up short but the ball was transferred back infield to scrum-half Keith Hartlebury.
He produced a neat delayed pass and Rob Shaw benefited from the space created, forcing his way over the line.
Mike Hope slotted over the extras before he and his opposite number exchanged successful penalty kicks giving a score of 8-8 at the 20 minute mark.
The Atoms gained the upper hand in the territorial stakes forcing St Judes to defend their line.
On two occasions flying winger Rob Freedman went close after centres Cambidge and Hope had combined well to put the winger in space.
Firstly, he was tackled into the corner flag by St Judes' impressive full-back, then he was denied by a foot in touch as he placed the ball over the line.
St Judes weathered this storm and found some room to attack in themselves. Only some great one to one defence prevented Judes extending their lead.
A dangerous attack was halted by a Mike Hope tackle, then captain Keith Hartlebury dislodged the ball in a tackle on their dangerous prop forward.
As the Atoms had eased off when they had the advantage – St Judes were not going to make the same mistake.
They pushed hard at the Atoms line finally finding the gap for the full-back to round off the move.
As the half time bell approached the Atoms mustered one last attack. Keith Hartlebury, who wasn't too far away from the action all afternoon, dummied his way over the line with Hope again converting.
Half time 14-14
Coach Dave Crow has been using Dave McVernon from the bench, to come on and make an impact with his outstanding running style.
On his arrival to game the tempo was increased immediately with him making two clean breaks from around the half way line. On the first he was caught by the full back, on the second he stepped the covering defence to go under the posts for his 6th try of the season.
The Atoms looked to be taking command at this stage and this was confirmed when an attack down the right flank saw Freedman and Hope exchanging passes before Hope was held up just short.
He had great vision to pass the ball back inside out of the tackle and again Freedman was the recipient.
He shot over the line giving the Atoms a comfortable 26:14 lead with 20 mins remaining.
From here the Atoms should have pushed on and secured the win but for some unbeknown reason they proceeded to press the self-destruct button.
They began to fall off tackles, give penalties away and were drawn into the niggly stuff around the play the balls. Cambidge got himself sin-binned after a skirmish at a tackle.
He and his fellow combatant were dispatched but it blunted the Atoms defence more as they had lost there most courageous tackler. St Judes were able to peg back the scores with two quick taken tries bringing the scores level for fourth time in the match.
The Atoms still had enough time to rescue things and young second tower Liam Hall was doing his best to inspire his team mates with two thunderous drives.
Unfortunately as the noose was tightening the ball was intercepted and the chance was gone. Hope tried a spectacular drop goal that just shaved the left hand post.
St Judes regained possession and took play up field. They too were now desperately looking for victory and a chip and chase on the last caused the Atoms no end of problems.
The bounced favoured the chasers and a tired looking Atoms defence were slow to re-align with St Judes taking full advantage as their scrumhalf shot over the line.
The conversion was good and this was improved upon with a one point field goal on the stroke of full time.
The Atoms games are always entertaining affairs and this was no exception, but they must learn to sustain the intensity of play when in the driving seat, before the games start to run out towards the end of the season.

ATOMS: Richardson, Pike, Cambidge, Hope, Freedman, Holmes, Hartlebury, Weed, Aldren, Woods, Shaw, Hall, Gregory. Res: McVernon, Simpson, Birkitt, Doherty.