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Atoms off the foot of the table Bamber Bridge 16 - Heysham Atoms 34 Heysham Atoms' upturn in fortunes continued with a comprehensive victory against their nearest geographical rivals. There was added spice to the game as last season Bamber Bridge had inflicted three narrow defeats on the Atoms, and a win for the Heysham side would take them off the foot of the table to be replaced by their hosts. A confidence boosting victory last week against Blackpool Scorpions had given the whole club a shot in the arm but more importantly gave a self-belief to the team especially the youngsters. They have grown in stature as the season has unfolded gaining valuable experience as they serve a difficult apprenticeship. Away victories have been sparse over the last season and a half, so the nature of the win made it even more satisfying. This was a true team performance with the coach finally getting the right players in the right positions, and more importantly playing well in those positions. The right hand attack of the Atoms proved to be a most potent weapon with Lewis Mills and Andy Garnett having a field day scoring six tries between them. The Atoms started the game very shakily and made some unforced errors that put them under unnecessary pressure. Having said this their defence looked solid and organised and wasn't about to yield any easy points as was their trait earlier in the season. Two needless penalties were given away in easy range for Bamber Bridge's competent kicker but 4 points was all they came away with from a period of sustained pressure on the Atoms line. The Atoms had soaked up everything that Bamber could throw at them and the forwards built up some momentum of their own. Prop forward Liam Hall picked up where he left off last week leading the Atoms forwards with some great driving play. The Atoms had now cut down on the errors and were getting to the kicks with big yardage gains. Hartlebury and Helme were able to split the Bamber Bridge's back three with some intelligent kicking. Guy Richardson forced a goal line drop out after chasing down his opposite number in the in goal area. Bamber looked to have relieved the pressure when they regained possession but a great Helliwell tackle dislodged the ball and Mills fed Garnett who scampered into the corner for his first of the afternoon. Within minutes the same player had increased the Atoms lead after a great handling move involving all the three-quarters. The final pass was a difficult one to take but take it he did and everyone had the feeling that this could be Heyshams day. Walker's trusty boot converted for the second time shortly followed by a penalty just before the break. Half-time 14:4 It has been no coincidence that the Atoms backs have started to flourish as the form of their forwards has improved. The pack are getting into their stride, Walker is distributing well at half back and the backs are able to play with depth and pace. In the last couple of games this has all started to click together with everyone building in confidence as they go along. The Atoms targeted Bamber Bridge's left centre wing as an area of weakness that they would try and exploit. The Atoms back rowers of Aldren, Helliwell and Allan were having a ball running off the first receiver. This allowed Hartlebury time to dictate play and it was he who produced the pass of the game. An attack down the right seemed to be well marshalled by Bridge's defenders before Hartlebury passed behind his back to the elusive Lewis Mills who darted over from 20 yards. Mills was soon to double his tally when another clean break brought him his second try. This was no more than he deserved for an outstanding performance in attack. The Atoms had a big grip on the game but have learned more from their experiences this season that it is never over till the final whistle. Bamber Bridge had suffered in the field position stakes but their stand off, centre and full back were always willing runners and it was these three that combined well to bring them back on the score sheet. The Atoms regained their composure playing to the middle before launching attacks to the right. As last week Chris Connaughton interchanged from the bench and proved what a handful he is carting the ball up well into the tackle. A cut out pass from Helme gave Garnett a little room to work in and he showed exceptional footwork to leave his marker for dead to complete his hat-trick. Simon Ledwick, after an absence of two weeks, got back into the groove even though most of the attacks were down the opposite wing. He and full back Cambidge made some massive yards returning some loose kicking from Bridge. The final score of the game was a little fortunate but showed that the Atoms team will now chase every kick with the same enthusiasm. As Bamber's centre came to hack the ball away from the in-goal area it took a wicked bounce leaving the chaser - Andy Garnett - the easy option of just placing downward pressure on the ball completing his fourth try of the afternoon, and giving the Atoms a victory that their efforts truly deserved.
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