Heysham Atoms 40 - Widnes Tigers 4
North West Counties Division Four

It was touch and go whether this match would go ahead due to the overnight downpour but the Atoms were delighted that it did, continuing their good form from last week and maintaining their push up the table.

The conditions usually dictate but the Atoms played their normal expansive game with sure hands in a very positive manner.
The Tigers have had some good victories this season but have lacked consistency in terms of results to climb away from the foot of the league table.
They possess a big, physical pack that certainly doesn't lack experience and it was here that the Atoms defence had to work at their hardest. This they did only allowing Widnes one try that could have easily been prevented.
Rory Batson moved from the centre into the loose forward role and had his best game of the season so far. He relished the extra workload and it was he who opened the Atoms' account after 10 minutes.
Dave McVernon charged for the line only to be brought down five metres short. As he was about to hit the deck he got the ball away with a wonderful offload to Batson, who was in the right place at the right time.
The pressure being exerted on the Tigers line was immense and a patient Atoms attack knew that if they stayed in the right areas more points would follow.
A Hartlebury punt downfield turned the full-back and winger. The Atoms chasers made sure little ground was made and the Tigers stand-off tried to clear his lines early in the tackle count.
The ball bounced off Brian Cambidge's head before the same player collected the ball for and easy run to the line. Garnett converted.
This good fortune spurred on the Atoms to greater heights as they sensed a vulnerability in the Tigers defence.
A penalty on halfway gave the Heysham side a chance to gain more territorial advantage. Helliwell's drive and subsequent quick play the ball gave the second wave of attackers that extra yard to work in.
Prop forward Liam Hall took on his opposite number and offloaded a great ball to Russ Birkett. He won the 30-yard foot race to the line for his 12th try of the season to make it 16-0 at half-time.
The opening of the second period was a little scrappy and it took the Atoms a while to get into their stride again.
They were forced to defend their line and make a couple of goalline drop-outs after Randall Raines, at full-back, had saved the Atoms with great positioning from some quality kicks that held up on the sticky surface.
Normal service was resumed as Andy Garnett settled the nerves, picking up a dropped pass on the halfway line. He showed a great pair of heels, winning the race to the line.
He made the conversion good, taking the Atoms to an unassailable 22-0 lead.
The Atoms had worked hard to get into this position and were not going to let it slip with a lack of concentration. Elliot Pyrah came on and showed his intent, dumping his opposite number with a fantastic first tackle.
McVernon had threatened all afternoon and it was a only a matter of time before the Atoms' top try scorer got in on the action.
He took a short pass off stand-off Andy Helme and carved his way to line finishing with a dive that Jurgen Klinsmann would have been proud of.
The control of the ball was so important on a day such as this and hooker Andy Aldren's tidy work around the rucks made it so much easier for his runners.
The defensive line of the Atoms had worked very well as a unit during the game and were disappointed to concede a try on the hour mark.
A good handling move from the Tigers created one man over and the left winger squeezed in at the corner.
Thankfully for the Atoms this was their last scoring opportunity and the Atoms were able to finish in the ascendancy.
Two tries, one from Cambidge and one from Garnett, finished off the game, capitalising on a tired defence.
Garnett's conversion brought his tally to six out of seven kicks in his 20-point personal haul for the match.
This victory and last week's win against Rose Bridge has put the Atoms in a good position as they face three tough away fixtures that could decide the championship.
Leigh East, Waterhead and Cadishead Rhinos will all provide the Atoms with a real test, but they can approach these games with a great deal of confidence.

Atoms: R Raines, G Winder, B Cambidge, A Garnett, S Jackson, A Helme, K Hartlebury, D McVernon, A Aldren, L Hall, G Helliwell, R Birkett, R Batson. Reserves: E Pyrah, J Pyrah, S Weed, M MacIntyre.