Heysham Atoms 28 - Wigan Keepers Bulldogs 32
North West Counties Division Four

THE Atoms lost their unbeaten home record in a 12-try spectacular with only two extra conversions separating the sides.

The rumours around the league that the Wigan side were now finding some form proved to be true as they recorded their third league victory in a row.
The Atoms prepared well and by no means under-estimated the Keepers after turning them over earlier in the season down in Wigan.
What ensued was an open, entertaining game that saw the Wigan side open up a 12-point gap, the Atoms claw their way back into lead and for the keepers to pull away in the final 20 minutes.
The Atoms seemed to settle the quicker completing their first three possessions, gaining good field position with the resulting kicks.
A handling error from a Wigan forward was capitalised upon by captain Gavin Helliwell. Neat inter-passing between Pyrah, Helme and Birkett took play to within five metres of the line. Liam Hall charged onto the next ball and there was just no way he was going to be stopped from that distance.
New recruit Ollie Austin stepped up to confidently stroke over the extra two points.
The Atoms seem to concede immediately after scoring themselves and the vulnerability showed itself as three unforced errors directly led to Keepers scoring tries.
Firstly a knock-on at an Atoms' scrum allowed Wigan's full-back to race 80 yards under the posts.
Another Atoms enforced error gave Wigan another opportunity which they gratefully accepted.
The third mistake was a poor match up in defence letting the speedy centre in and he again punished the Atoms with six points.
Elliott Pyrah did his best to lift the spirits with an all action display getting involved in all nitty-gritty work that is essential to the team.
The spirits were lifted further when a move straight off the training field paid off close to Wigan's line.
Centre Batson attacked the blind side finding full-back Randal Raines on his shoulder. He had to use all his strength and guile to squeeze his way over the line eventually placing the ball down over his head.
The referee had positioned himself well and again youngster Austin improved the score.
Heysham Atoms were now back in their stride. The front row pairing of Dave McVernon and Hall both had massive games throughout and it was no fluke that their endeavours were noticed in the man of the match points.
They terrorised the opposition all the game with their powerful drives and both pulled off try-saving tackles with big hits that dislodged the ball.
The Atoms got a roll on down the right wing as Wigan conceded two penalties in succession. A move very similar to Hall's try was copied by McVernon. He used his dummy runners to perfection crashing over the line bringing the Atoms to within two points at the break.
The Atoms started the second period as they had done in the first. A sustained period on Wigan's line had to bring something with the Atoms showing good patience waiting for that all-important chance. Hartlebury nearly got Raines away into a hole as the blindside was the favoured area of attack.
Two or three scoops from acting half-back got the Atoms within striking distance. McVernon stepped into the role and barged over, scoring his 10th try in 11 games.
Late-comer Andy Garnett gave the Atoms a few more options and, along with Lee Harvey, maintained the momentum.
The narrow side was providing the Atoms with some good options and sharp passing from Batson put Garnett away. He finished in true style diving in at the corner flag, taking the Atoms into a 24-18 lead.
For the third time in the game the momentum switched back to the Keepers and their lively half-backs were asking a lot of questions of the Atoms' defence.
Birkett tried to put the hammer in the coffin with a break but good defending stopped the Atoms from adding to their lead.
Keepers' centre found a gap wide out on the right finishing off a brisk handling movement. Once again, they were able to add to this as the Atoms could not stop the onslaught on their line. Keepers' hooker took advantage of a static Atoms' line as they held off and didn't move up quickly enough.
The Wigan's side's third try in this period of dominance came from sloppy marker play around the ruck snatching the lead at 32-24.
The final 10 minutes of this pulsating end-to-end game saw the Atoms throw the ball about from one side of the field to the other.
Loose forward Telford got centre Matt Craven into a hole and he didn't need a second invitation. The Atoms were now within four points and doing everything in their power to get over the Wigan line.
McVernon got through the first line of defence and tried to off-load in the scramble tackle.
The ball never reached Scott Telford and the Keepers played out their possession until the final whistle.

THIS Saturday, the Atoms have a tricky task in the first round of the National Cup at Chequerfield Rangers in Castleford, kick-off 2pm.
The Rangers play five divisions above the Atoms.

Atoms: R Raines, O Austin, M Craven, R Batson, S Jackson, S Telford, K Hartlebury, D McVernon, A Helme, L Hall, E Pyrah, G Helliwell (capt), R Birkett. Reserves: A Garnett, L Harvey, G Helme, J Pyrah