Heysham Atoms 20 - Leigh Miners Rangers 16

Scorers:
A Garnett (1 try, 4 goals)
K Hartlebury (1 try)
G Winder (1 try)

The Atoms consolidated their position of 2nd in the league table with a tough victory against previously unbeaten Leigh Miners. This was a battling performance in every sense of the word with the referee handing out more cards than he does at Christmas! The Atoms were twice down to 11 men for a total of 20 minutes throughout the game showing some real grit and determination in their defensive effort. This was epitomised when the miners bombarded the Atoms line, with 4 consecutive sets of six, as they went for victory in the dying minutes of the game. This Herculean effort was rewarded with two more vital league points for the Heysham side.

It was one of those games where you could not take your eye off the action for a second with every single aspect of Rugby League being brought to the fore - mostly good- some not so good. The referee had his work cut out to keep a lid on things as the Miners came with an apparent intention to stir up proceedings.

After cagey opening from both sides the Atoms could feel a little fortunate to claim the first score. A speculative kick down field was collected by Leigh's winger and he was tackled by a three man Atoms defence. Somehow the ball was dislodged and Andy Garnett picked up the loose ball and raced half the length of the pitch unopposed to put the Atoms into a 6-0 lead.

Liam Hall's second run in with his opposite number got them both a yellow card and 10 minutes on the side lines. Leigh seemed to fair better with their loss and took a monopoly of possession favouring to attack down their left wing. Hall's departure was soon followed by Gavin Helliwell as he tried to stem the tide of Leigh attacks committing a professional foul - lying on at the play the ball. Leigh took advantage of the extra man with a score from a neat inside pass.

The pressure was maintained at the Atoms end of the field with Leigh employing a wide passing game. This stretched the Atoms line and only some good, organised defence kept them from taking the lead.

Full back Gavin Winder improves with every game and he brought off a try saving tackle when he was last line of defence. This type of play boosts the teams confidence and they were able to clear their lines with Craven and Garnett coming in and proving elusive around the rucks.

Dave McVernon spearheaded an Atoms attach down the middle of the park. Hartlebury maintained the push towards the line before Pinner, Batson and Winder brought off a move to perfection putting Winder in a hole for him to waddle over the line for his second try of the season. Garnett again converted giving the Atoms a 12-4 lead at the break.

A change of shirts and a change of fortunes for the Miners was on the cards as they started the stronger in the second period. A clean break by Leigh's second row was only halted by a superb peace of play from loose forward Russ Birkett. Not only did he nail his man but he stole the ball in a one on one tackle and took all the danger away with a forceful drive.

The discipline of both sides left a lot to be desired but it was the Atoms who benefited from a couple of penalties on the bounce. McVernon and Aldren hammered at the line before Hartlebury ducked under a couple of challenges to show remarkable strength to stretch out an arm and placed the ball over the line. Garnett converted. This score put a bit of daylight between the sides but as in the last home game against Cadishead the Atoms became their own worse enemies conceding needless penalties as territory was conceded. A Leigh score was inevitable and their expansive style brought them a score wide on the left, which was converted bringing them back into the game at 16-10.

Two big hits from props McVernon and Hall on Leigh's stand off was taken exception to by the Leigh players and a brawl involving most players from both sides ensued. The aftermath was one red for Leigh and a red and a yellow for the Atoms. The Atoms regrouped and were awarded the penalty for being on the receiving end of the first punch thrown. They decided to keep it tight and play towards the sticks and go for the field goal to take them two scores clear.

They were able to do better than that as a high shot on the third tackle was penalised and Garnett slotted over the easy two points.

The final ten minutes of the game were very tense and made even more so when Leigh scored close to the posts taking them to within two points of the Atoms. Craven and Batson made good yards on the next Atoms possession and Leigh were caught off side in front of their posts. Garnett again stepped up and coolly took the Atoms to the 20 point mark. The game was played out close to the Atoms line with Leigh asking some serious questions of the Atoms defence. A try saving tackle from Rob Shaw showed how much it meant to the Atoms to come away with the spoils in this very even contest.

If this match was anything to go by the return fixture will be very interesting down at Leigh in the New Year.

Atoms: G Winder, S Jackson, R Batson, M Craven, A Garnett, H Pinner, K Hartlebury, D McVernon, A Aldren, L Hall, R Shaw, G Helliwell (Capt), R Birkett
Res: O Austin, C Connaughton, G Sykes, L Harvey

MAN OF THE MATCH: DAVE McVERNON

Pilkingtons Recs A 68 Crosfields 6

Ince Rose Bridge 38 Cadishead Rhinos 32

Leigh East 56 Wigan Keepers 22

Blackbrook A 42 Eccleston Lions 0

Heysham Atoms 20 Leigh Miners Rangers 16

Waterhead 28 Widnes Tigers 24

We knew it would be tough on Saturday and we raised our game to the occasion in what was a scrappy affair.Leigh Miners tried to make it hard for us straight from the kick off by being very aggressive with there big prop forward leading the way, thankfully we did not react and get drawn in to their game plan, we stuck to our own, which was to complete our sets of six,a good kicking game, and to play basic rugby league, but even as a coach I can understand when things are taken too far and it was good to see that we stuck together as a team when tempers did flare up, unfortunately we had Gav Helliwell sent off and Chris Connaughton sin binned but even with eleven men on the field we did ourselves proud in our defensive effort.

Once again Dave McVernon was outstanding deservedly being voted man of the match, along with the centers Matt Craven and Alex Batson who both constantly make the breaks and also sure up our back line with tremendous defense, also Andy Garnett has been on top form with the boot this year and having the always steady Gav Winder at full back our back line is in top form.

The only worry on Saturday was when we went 20-6 up we lost our concentration and let Leigh come back in to the game scoring two quick tries,we have to really work on staying focussed for the full 80 minutes and when we get in front we have to finish teams off. A big positive from this spell in play was the last ten minutes we were under so much pressure but our defensive was fantastic we absorbed 24 tackles on our own line which was outstanding effort this late in to the game.

Tomorrow we travel to Widnes Tiger hopefully for a 12 o'clock kick off as we would all like to sample the fine ales of Manchester prior to the Grand Final at Old Trafford. Widnes Tigers will be a difficult task as they have ex Widnes stars Stuart Spruce and Rob Myler playing for them but with neither of them playing any quality rugby for a few years I am sure we can carry on our unbeaten run.

Dave Crow