Heysham Atoms 12 - Shaw Rhinos 42

The much anticipated start to the Atoms' Rugby League Season got underway on Saturday at the Trimpell Club in Morecambe. A wonderfully prepared pitch and exceptional weather was a recipe for open attacking rugby but unfortunately it wasn't the Atoms who revelled in these conditions. The defensive frailties that have haunted the Atoms over the last couple of seasons were all too clearly on show, especially in the second half. Contributory factors could be the loss of Dave McVernon after only 15 minutes, Keith Hartlebury on the half hour mark and new scrum half Greg Sykes shortly after half time, all due to injuries, certainly didn't help the Atoms' cause but they just seem too easy to score against when teams get on a role.

Shaw Rhinos had recruited well in the off season and were quicker to settle into their style of play. The Atoms suffered in the early stages through lack of possession but each and every attack was dealt with efficiently. The play was concentrated at the Atoms end of the field and not even a repeat set of six could yield any points for the Oldham team.

Dave McVernon departed the field with a shoulder injury and this seemed to disrupt the Atoms concentration. Shaw put up a `bomb' on the last and were able to put enough pressure on the Atoms defenders, for the ball to be fumbled, and the loose ball was gratefully swooped upon by Shaw's centre, making the try good close to the posts. The conversion was added closely followed by an easy penalty on Shaw's next attack, taking them into a comfortable 8-nil lead.

The Atoms ventured into Shaw's territory on too few occasions during the first 30 minutes but a piece of good fortunate came the Atoms way. A spectacular kick ahead, from Keith Hartlebury, after a completed set of six, was chased by prop Liam Hall. A wicked bounce for the defenders to field hit the Atoms forward in the chest propelling the ball forward over the Shaw line. When everyone stopped to appeal for the knock-on he continued his run and dived on the ball. The try was awarded, and a bemused looking Shaw team questioned the decision en-mass, but the referee held his nerve and the try stood. Neil Walker stepped up to add the extras.

A sickening clash of heads between two Atoms defenders resulted in Captain and hooker Keith Hartlebury leaving the field and Bryan Cambidge receiving a gashed forehead that later required 8 stitches. Cambidge opted to play on but again a lack of concentration from the restart resulted in Shaw forcing their way over the line on the very next possession. Half-time came and a chance to re-group.

H-T Atoms - 6/Shaw 14

The next forty minutes was one to forget for the Atoms team which seemed to have all their confidence and fire knocked out of them.

A steady stream of possession was gifted to Shaw through unforced errors and some woeful defending. Once the Atoms scrum half had left the field with concussion there seemed no way back for the Heysham side.

The Shaw forwards began to run with increased vigour and the backs revelled in the extra space. The final 30 minutes saw tries scored at regular intervals as the Atoms challenge visibly wilted. One Atoms to stand head and shoulders above the rest was centre Bryan Cambidge. He took the fight to the Oldham side at every opportunity and it was he who looked most likely to cause the most trouble to the Shaw defenders.

A break from Hall, backed up by Aldren and Allen took play deep into Shaw's 20 metre area. Good links play between centres Brooks and Cambidge just created enough space for Guy Richardson to cut inside his defender and place the ball over the line. Walker again added the conversion.

Rob Shaw re-entered the game from the bench and was keen to put himself about. One hit on his opposite number stopped him dead in his tracks and for a while this boosted the Atoms defenders. However, these were the only highlights of a poor second half showing and normal service was soon resumed.

Although this is very early days the Atoms have a great deal of work to do and must become more competitive as the season unfolds. The new faces are going to take a while to bed in but the potential is certainly there for better things to come. It certainly doesn't get any easier as next Saturday the Atoms travel to Warrington to face Bank Quay Bulls, who last season were promoted, unbeaten out of Division 3.

ATOMS: Richardson, Winder, Brooks, Cambidge, Walker, Helme, Sykes, McVernon, Hartlebury, Hall, Shaw, Aldren, Allen

Res: Humphries, Harvey, Birkitt, Pyrah