Heysham Atoms 22 - Bank Quay Bulls 54

Trys: Andy Garnet (3) Guy Richardson
Goals: Neil Walker (3)
Drop Goals:

Men of the Match:
1st Bryan Cambidge
2nd Guy Richardson
3rd Andy Garnet

Heysham Atoms' unbeaten run came to an expected end against the league leaders from Warrington. Bank Quay's big guns had all the answers in attack and lived up to their average, by posting another 50 point victory. Atoms gave them too much room and respect in the first period, but once they decided to have a go and move the ball around, their illustrious opponents were made to look pretty ordinary.

Andy Garnett on the Heysham Atoms' right wing showed that, when given some quality ball, he can finish against the best of them, scoring his second hat-trick of the season and taking his tally to 12 from 11 games. He renewed his partnership on the right wing with Lewis Mills at inside centre and not since the Bamber Bridge game have these two been together. Guy Richardson at full back showed too that he can up his game when playing against the better teams, which is always a good indication of the quality of a player.

He was severely tested in his defensive duties and he had enough in the tank to be prominent in attack and show some great touches when fielding and retrieving the ball. The Atoms looked to have weathered the early storm, defending their line for three consecutive sets of six, but the Bulls' tactic of hitting the blind side with numbers finally paid off, as Atoms were caught one short.

The Atoms' next mistake was to take the lead. A good set of drives spearheaded by in-form props Dave McVernon and Liam Hall gave Keith Hartlebury a chance to force some pressure with his short kicking game. A kick across the face of the oncoming offenders bounced in the Atoms' favour for Andy Garnett to take his first try of the game. Walker put the Atoms into the lead with a touchline conversion.

This score awoke the beast and unfortunately the Atoms were not up to the task defensively. Bank Quay's stand off and loose forward began to run the show, using the inside ball to good effect.

The Atoms struggled to contain the runners and long range scores from excellent support play were the order of the half. Tries were scored at regular intervals, as the Atoms were starved of any ball and turned round 30-6 down and staring at a heavy defeat.

Earlier in the season this scoreline may have fazed the younger members of the team, but they have grown in confidence and stature as the year has gone on. A spirited 40-minutes was asked for and given, putting the frighteners on their more seasoned opponents.

The second half was full of attacking rugby from both sides with the Warrington outfit just edging it 12-16. An early score from Bank Quarry must have given the large Atoms' support the feeling that they were to witness another painful 40 minutes. All this did was to bring the Atoms closer together and realise that unless they put their heart and soul into this they were about to be drubbed.

An exchange of fortunes was only brought about with the hard work of the forwards. They were getting the Atoms into the right areas and able to unleash their backs, favouring the right-hand attack. Mills put Garnett away for his second of the afternoon, a score straight out of Bank Quay's book. Richardson, at full back, almost brought the Atoms even closer, after intercepting a wayward pass on the Atoms' 10m line. He took play deep into Bank Quay's territory only to lose out in the foot race to his opposite number.

The Atoms still had enough men to overrun the Bulls' defence, but two poor options were taken, keeping the ball tight when the wider ball would have proved more fruitful. It wasn't long before the Atoms crowd had something else to cheer about, when it was McVernon's turn to bust the tackle and charge for the line. Again he was hauled down by a good, scrambling tackle, but was able to get up quickly and play the ball to Richardson, who showed good footwork to go over the line close to the posts.

The Atoms had found their feet in attack but still were conceding tries, which when they reflect on the action should have been stopped.
The highlight of the Atoms' afternoon came when a series of penalties had moved them upfield. Hartlebury again stepped up on the last and found Andy Garnett with a great kick. He gratefully accepted this gift, from his scrum-half, completing his hat-trick and giving the Atoms a positive note to finish on.

ATOMS: G Richardson, S Ledwick, L Mills, B Cambidge, A Garnett, A Helme, K Hartlebury, D McVernon, N Walker, L Hall, R Shaw, M Allan, G Sykes,. Res: K Gardner, M Bussington, J Pyrah, C Olin.