Eccleston Lions 18 - Heysham Atoms 16

On Saturday Heysham's five match winning run was brought to an end by Eccleston in a 2pt loss in the North West Counties Bowl. Missing loose forward Russell Birkett the Atoms never found their rhythm despite being in the lead for much of the game.

An oportunistic try from Winder put the Atoms ahead but penalties and the rub of the green kept the Lions within striking distance of the Atoms. Garnett extended the Atoms lead, but more needless penalties once again gave the Lions encouragment. A try to the Eccleston Hooker Jimmy Dyson was no less than the Lions deserved and when the Atoms were on penalised twice in succession due to inappropriate calls eminating from the travelling Atoms support, the Atoms knew it wasn't to be their day.

Last time the teams met the scoreline favoured the Atoms by nearly 40 points. A repeat of this never seemed likely as the Atoms' three weeks weather-enforced abscence from rugby, which also included cancelled training sessions had clearly taken an effect on the team who looked lethargic throughout.

Eccleston, whose team contained three graduates of Lancaster University no less, deserved their victory despite being outscored by the Atoms on tries, due to their greater discipline.

Next up for the Atoms are two tough away fixtures starting with top of the table Ince Rose Bridge next week. A repeat performance like this against such a side would undoubtedly result in a hammering for the Atoms, which should nicely focus minds in training this week.

Atoms: R Raines, G Winder, A Garnett, R Batson, O Austin, A Helme, K Hartlebury, D McVernon, G Sykes, L Hall, G Helliwell, A Aldren, S Telford, L Harvey, R Shaw, E Pyrah, C Helme.
Hopes dashed in first round defeat

HEYSHAM ATOMS 16 ECCLESTON LIONS 18

THIS was a cup that the Heysham side fancied going a long way in this season but with a below-par performance, it was not to be. An enforced two-week break prior to this game contributed to a flat, stop-start game. The error count and the penalty count were far too high, giving the ball up too cheaply and conceding too much territory.

A late arrival ate into the Atoms' preparation time and it was no surprise they began the game defending their own line. Good work from hooker Greg Sykes negated the danger and a steady progress upfield from the forwards relieved the pressure. A speculative kick from scrum-half Keith Hartlebury was misjudged by Eccleston's full-back.

Randall Raines followed up but a wicked bounce took the ball away from his grasp. Thankfully Gavin Winder and Rory Batson were also giving chase and it was centre Batson who got the final and important touch.
Garnett's attempt at the extras failed but it was hoped that this score would settle down the team. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case giving a whistle-happy referee plenty of opportunity to punish the Atoms. Two well-struck penalties brought Eccleston back on level terms.

The Atoms seemed to have the edge in the three-quarter line but all too frequently the ball came to them too slowly. The 'play the balls' were too slow and Eccleston revelled in lack of policing in this area. Loose forward Scott Telford was steadily getting himself back to the pace of the game after a four-week injury lay-off and it was he who instigated a move down the right.

Hall and his front row partner Lee Harvey brought play back to the middle. The ball was moved to the left-wing but a sloppy final pass seemed to have taken the sting out of the attack. Alert winger Gavin Winder hacked on and won the chase to touch down for his third try of the season, just reward for one of the most consistent Atoms' performers this season.

As half-time approached the Atoms seemed to drop their guard and allowed a soft try out on the right wing after an off-load in the tackle in the midfield. The conversion again brought the scores level at the break. Clean breaks by both sides were hard to come by but veteran Andy Helme was able to break the line on a 30-yard charge. Dave McVernon entered the game from the bench and his extra size and pace caused Eccleston some real problems.

Garnett's elusive running took play down the right. The forwards again brought the ball back to the middle for McVernon to blast his way over the line with an extra stretch to line. Garnett cooly converted, giving the Atoms a six-point cushion. The lively Elliott Pyrah fitted into the second row showing an exceptional work-rate in attack and defence. His efforts did not rub off on his team-mates who began to be their own worst enemies. They got on the wrong side of the ref and this affected the whole of the Atoms' game.

Far too many cheap penalties were conceded as the game deteriorated as a spectacle. Eccleston's hooker took full advantage of a retreating Atoms' defence scoring after a 20-yard burst for the line. The conversion was good and brought the scores level for the third time in the match. With 10 minutes remaining, the decisive penalty was conceded 30 yards from the posts. Eccleston's kicker stepped up and knocked over his fourth penalty of the game.

The Atoms now had to up their performance and chase a game that they had allowed to slip from their grasp.
McVernon, Helme and Garnett all tried in vain to find that elusive gap but it was Eccleston's line that held strong and took them into the next round.

Heysham Atoms: R Raines, G Winder, A Garnett, R Batson, O Austin, A Helme, K Hartlebury, D McVernon, G Sykes, L Hall, G Helliwell, A Aldren, S Telford, L Harvey, R Shaw, E Pyrah, C Helme.

This Saturday, the Atoms return to league action at leaders Ince Rose Bridge from Wigan. Kick-off 2pm.