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Brave Atoms lose in tense finale Heysham Atoms 20 - Haresfinch (St Helens) 28 Tries: Lewis Mills, Bryan Cambidge, Andy Garnet
With 10 minutes played the Atoms were on the scoreboard which was nothing more than they deserved for their dominant beginning.
Haresfinch looked somewhat shell shocked and some tidy Atoms defence was keeping them at bay. Haresfinch possessed a dangerous runner in their prop forward and his offloads in the tackle began to cause the Atoms some grief. A lively scrum half and hooker took advantage of this taking extra yards around the ruck. A controversial moment on the 20 minute mark brought Haresfinch into the game. What appeared to be a forward pass, was allowed, close to the line and with the Atoms still scratching their heads, the conversion was added.
The final 10 minutes of the half saw the Atoms pinned in their own territory and two pieces of sloppy defending resulted in two tries being conceded. The tries were scored on opposite wings which could have been prevented with better communication.
Dave McVernon came on from the bench putting himself about with a number of big hits in defence. The self belief is slowly returning to the team and the Atoms felt if they could get some quick ball their impressive back division could open them up.
Territorially the Atoms were now suffering due to some over-eagerness in the tackles resulting in penalties. This extra defending sapped the strength and ultimately lost them the game.
Gallery
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A
spirited performance from the Atoms almost turned the form book on its
head in this cup tie at the Trimpell. First Division outfit Haresfinch
must have looked at the League position of the Atoms and thought that
entry to the next round would be a formality. Unfortunately the Atoms
never read the script and they set about their illustrious opponents with
a determination and an aggression that has been rarely seen so far this
season. In hindsight the Atoms can look back on the game with great pride
but they just gave away too many penalties, which surrendered field position
and possession, to go on and force the game.
A
bright opening from the Atoms' lively pack set the tone for the early
exchanges. Connaughton and Humphries in the front row were outstanding
making big yards down the middle of the park. Lewis Mills moved into the
hooking role with Keith Hartlebury unavailable. His sniping runs around
the play the ball and his pass service were all of a high standard giving
coach Crow some selection headaches when all personnel are available.
Another shrewd change was to bring Guy Richardson up to scrum half from
his usual full back duties. His distribution and link play added to the
more expansive game plan that was being employed by the Heysham team.
A
penalty on half way was awarded and quickly moved into midfield. Two drives
close to the line were held up before Mills cracked the defence, twisting
his way over for the first score. Andy Garnett stepped up to add the extra
two points.
Debutant
Andrew Raines was making his first appearance at full back and showed
what another good, young prospect the Atoms have signed. Sure handling,
competent defence and an eye for the gap all added up to a wonderful start
in Atoms colours. His drive to the line was instrumental in the Atoms
next score. Centre Andy Garnett found a hole to run into from a well executed
move, involving fellow centre Simon Brooks, showing enough strength to
step out of the final tackle. He himself added the conversion.
Just
before half time centre Simon Brooks was dispatched to the cooler for
10 minutes for throwing a punch after being impeded at the tackle situation.
TheAtoms
pressed hard down the left wing with Si Ledwick well to the fore. Loose
forward Batson went with a deft pass that stood up the defensive line.
Cambidge doesn't need a second invitation striding over the line for his
third try in three games, which was again converted by Garnett. A penalty
a piece brought the scores to 20 all with 15 minutes to play.
An
impressive side-stepping run from Haresfinch's loose forward brought them
a score that looked inevitable such was their field position and the time
that they were there. The Atoms threw everything into the final attacks
but could not find that decisive break. A penalty on the last kick of
the game brought to an end this absorbing cup tie that sees the Atoms
slowly finding their feet as the season progresses.
