Heysham Atoms 14 - Leigh Harriers 27

North West Counties Division Two
Tries: Dave McVernon, Bryan Cambidge
Goals: Keith Hartlebury (3)
Men of the Match: Guy Richardson, Keith Hartlebury, Shaun Humphries

THE Atoms have not found the winning formula yet this season but they are heading in the right direction.

A much-improved performance was asked for and delivered after the disappointment of last week's trip to Warrington. The games between the Atoms and Leigh have in the past been close affairs and this was to be no exception to the rule.

A late flurry of points by Leigh game them a somewhat flattering winning margin but in the end they just about deserved their victory. A solid opening from the Atoms showed that they were up for the challenge and on their first possession they were able to take play within 20 metres of Leigh's line.

There was also a more disciplined look to the defensive line when Leigh had the ball and opportunities to break the line were limited in the early exchanges as both sides tried to dominate close to the ruck. The return of Lewis Mills after illness gave the Atoms more options in the attacking stakes and he neatly slotted into the stand-off role linking well with centres Brooks and Cambidge.

Guy Richardson at full-back was tested early on with some intelligent kicking from Leigh's stand-off. He took everything that was thrown at him and made big yards out of defence into the bargain. Consistency is his trademark and it was no fluke that he was adjudged the outstanding Atoms' performer on the day.

Leigh tried to attack wider out but when this avenue was blocked by some determined defence they changed to a tighter, more conventional point of attack. This tactic proved to be a winner as the Atoms defence around the back of the ruck was left wanting. The warning signs were there when Leigh's hooker made a fine break and his supporting runner only failed to score after he was double-teamed by Simon Ledwick and Bryan Cambidge as he approached the line.

A similar attack instigated by the same player brought Leigh their first score. The Atoms replied almost immediately with a Keith Hartlebury penalty and this signalled a period of pressure in which they were very unlucky not to score. Keith Hartlebury's probing little kicks close to the line almost brought a score and when a 'bomb' was misjudged by Leigh's full-back, Rob Shaw nearly touched down.

All this pressure resulted in nothing and as is usually the case, the sucker punch was delivered by the Harriers. A slip in concentration at the back of a scrum allowed Leigh's loose forward to gallop over the line unopposed for an unconverted try. As the half-time whistle approached, Guy Richardson went agonisingly close as he was unable to stretch those extra inches for a score.

The Atoms had to settle for a second successful penalty from Hartlebury with the last kick of the half to make the score 4-8 to Harriers. The Atoms realised that a good opening to the second half was vital but unfortunately their concentration in defence was poor as Leigh posted a converted try off their first set after the restart. Gavin Helliwell and Dave McVernon entered the game from the bench after replacing the hardworking new boys Connaughton and Humphreys. Unfortunately both had to return to the bench with recurring injuries later in the half.

While McVernon was on, he treated the fans to one of his specials with a 30-yard blockbusting run resulting in a try that Hartlebury converted bringing Atoms within four points again. Alex Batson was making his debut at loose forward and he looks another outstanding prospect but it will take this new-look Atoms side time to get together. Lewis Mills was able to make a clear break down the right and he drew the cover before firing out a pass to winger Si Ledwick but the pass was not taken when the winger had the line at his mercy.

The problems behind the play the ball had not been sorted out and this weakness was again exposed by the highly influential Leigh hooker and this gave them a 20-10 lead with 15 minutes left. Cambidge brought the Atoms back into the game when he propelled himself over the line after a series of good drives led by the tireless prop forward Liam Hall. The conversion failed but the tempo was increased as the game drew to a close.

But Leigh put the final nail in the Atoms coffin with a converted try and drop goal in quick succession close to the final whistle.

ATOMS: Richardson, Ledwick, Brooks, Cambidge, Winder, Mills, A Helme, Hall, Hartlebury, Connaughton, Shaw, Humphries, Batson. Subs: Pike, Helliwell, McVernon, C Helme.