Wigan St Judes 12 - Heysham Atoms 10

Trys: Andy Garnet (2)
Goals: Andy Garnet

The league table showed two very similar playing records with very little difference between the sides. This game was played out exactly to the script with a very keen, even contest. The recent games between the sides have usually gone with the home advantage and the Wigan sides just did enough to edge it.

The Atoms were forced to pick a youthful line-up and this too was matched by St Judes. Coach Dave Crow had his first three choices at stand-off unavailable through injury and Andy Garnett stepped up into the pivotal role, bit didn't look comfortable until he moved out to his favourite right wing position early in the second half.

A cagey opening yielded few clearcut chances with defences well on top as the ball was kept close to the rucks. The Atoms kept possession well but took a while to get their kick and chase game going. First blood came in the form of a Garnett penalty from 30 yards out, on 15 minutes.

This seemed to relax the Heysham team and they looked far more comfortable, spreading the ball a little bit wider. Second row Chris Helme found some room in the leftcentre channel, making two clean breaks that were only halted by some determined St Jude's defence. Mike Holmes was making a welcome return after dislocating his shoulder but on 20 minutes he had to retire from the action after a direct blow on the old injury.

Rob Shaw jetted onto the pack, releasing Captain Keith Hartlebury into his more accustomed role of scrum-half. St Jude's began to dominate field position after the Atoms came up with some handling errors. Three sets of six close to the line were defended with full-back Randal Raines looking as safe as houses as the Atoms last line of defence.

St Judes were getting closer and only great communication work between Richardson and Blessington saved a certain try. Hooker Richardson was now beginning to scoop away from the dummy-half, getting behind the first line of defence and relieving some of the pressure. On 35 minutes Hall and McVernon had carved out an opening, but woeful handling along the backs squandered a gilt edged chance, which were few and far between.

St Judes had one last opportunity down the Atoms left wing. The move seemed to have been halted but the hooker squeezed his way through two Atoms' defenders to score. The conversion failed but they went into the break 4-2 up. The Atoms half-time talk focused on more depth in attack and to try to cut out the unforced errors but neither really improved as the game unfolded.

Hartlebury tried his best to break out of the confines of a skinny 10 metres with Bryan Cambidge at his shoulder for most of the afternoon. He gave his forwards a great target, putting them on the front foot with some forceful drives. The Atoms were further hampered when McVernon was sin binned after a chase and tackle on St Judes full-back was adjudged to be dangerous.

This gave St Judes the advantage in numbers and their stand-off began to distribute with increased authority. The Atoms held out with some good defence and some timely knock-ons by the Wigan side, but a piece of naive Atoms defending handed St Judes an easy try as they moved off the line too quickly. This left a big hole behind the play-the-ball which acting half-back took full advantage of.

The conversion was good, followed by a penalty giving St Judes a healthy 12-2 lead. The Atoms needed to change things quickly and Garnett was moved out wide with Helliwell and Harvey brought on to spice up the forwards. They gave it a real go in the last 15 minutes of the game with Hartlebury, Cambidge and Aldren well to the fore.

Birkett on the right wing had suffered from lack of ball but when he did get possession he looked dangerous. He set up the first Atoms score breaking through to link with Garnett who finished in the corner. His conversion would would have been very handy in such a tight game but the upright was to deny him with an outstanding effort from the touchline.

The Atoms felt they could sneak the game and a kick-and-chase from centre Rory Batson forced an error on St Judes edgy-looking full-back.
Liam Hall figured heavily close to line and the ball was kept alive, giving Garnett another chance five yards out. He stepped inside the cover for his 15th try of the season. The conversion would have brought things level but just failed.

The last three minutes were frantic with Atoms trying to force the opening. St Judes held firm and the two vital points took them out of the bottom two and above the Atoms.

Heysham Atoms: Raines, Birkett, Cambidge, Batson, Blessington, Garnett, Holmes, McVernon, Richardson, Hall, C Helme, Aldren, Hartlebury. Res: Helliwell, Shaw, Harvey, Bebington.