Heysham Atoms 42 - Cadishead Rhinos 22
- North West Counties Division Four

THE Atoms got their season back on track, at the third attempt with a much-needed home victory.
The Heysham side had a stronger, more organised look to it with the return of Brian Cambidge, Russ Birkett and Simon Brooks.
On the day the forwards took most of the accolades with prop forward Liam Hall being named as man-of-the-match for his hat-trick of tries and all-action performance.
Dave McVernon, also from the front row, pushed him hard for the award, he too getting on the score sheet with a brace of tries.
A solid Atoms start was enhanced by two penalties in the first four possessions enabling them to piggy-back down into Cadishead territory.
A third indiscretion by the Rhinos allowed Ollie Austin to confidently kick over the first two points of the game.
Cadishead hadn't had much of the ball so far and the first time they entered into Atoms 20 metre area they came away with some points.
On the last the ball bounced agonisingly in between the Atom defenders while both looked at each other, Cadishead's second row pounced on the ball and drove over the line for a converted try.
Worryingly for the Atoms, they further increased their lead with a penalty on the 12th minute mark.
The confidence was soon restored as an attack down the middle of the park took the Atoms within striking distance.
Walker and Hartlebury combined to change the angle of attack back to the narrow side and Birkett showed good footwork to beat two defenders on the way to the line.
Neil Walker, who was revelling in the hooking role, jumped out of dummy-half and found Hall on his shoulder who crashed over the line from 10 metres out.
Straight from the kick-off the Atoms took play over half way.
McVernon found himself in the right centre channel and took the ball back infield. He showed good pace and power to run a full 40 metres to the line for the try. A bout of knock-ons from both sides brought half-time at 18-8 in the Atoms favour.
The Atoms used their interchange to bring on Shane Weed and the lively Mike Holmes and knew how important it was to start the half well.
Almost immediately they had opened up the Rhinos defence down the left side of the field.
A great pick-up and offload from fullback Brooks, entering the line, allowed winger Gavin Winder to go close.
Cambidge sneaked into half-back and his low body position allowed him to get over the line for the opening score of the half.
Martin Pike, on the right wing, scooped away on numerous occasions, gaining valuable yards and more importantly giving his hard-worked forwards just that bit extra time for recovery.
Cadishead hit back and forced the Atoms into defending two full sets. The line was broken and Cadishead were still in the contest at 22-12.
The next 15 minutes of the game were all Heysham Atoms. Firstly Hall showed great awareness outjumping the full-back on a 'bomb', put up by stand-off Andy Helme. He collected the ball and dived over.
The Atoms were now completing their sets of six again and allowing the kickers to be used as a good attacking option.
A kick slid through the defensive line by Hartlebury was again chased well by Hall who anticipated where the ball would end up.
This extra yard gained enabled him to score his deserved hat-trick.
The Atoms had grown in confidence and using the wide passes to good effect. One sweeping move saw scrum-half Hartlebury find McVernon, wide out on the left, with a perfect pass.
The way McVernon charged onto the ball suggested only one outcome and that was his second try of the game.
The final Atoms score was arguably the best, showing good forward momentum, quick hands and support play. Shane Weed got the ball rolling in the middle of the park carried on by the recharged Russ Birkett.
Helme put Cambidge through a gap and he drew the full-back before releasing Austin with a well-timed pass.
He finished off the move with a 15 yard sprint to the line. He added his fifth successful kick of the afternoon taking the Atoms over 40 points for the first time this season.
With five minutes to play the Cadishead side wouldn't lie down.
They ended the game strongly, scoring two tries, and making a respectable looking end result.

Heysham Atoms: S Brooks, G Winder, B Cambidge, O Austin, M Pike, A Helme (capt), K Hartlebury, D McVernon, N Walker, L Hall, R Shaw, S Telford, R Birkett. Res: M Holmes, G Helliwell, S Weed, J Pyrah.

Portrait Pools.com Man of the Match: Liam Hall

Division 4

Ince Rose Bridge 40 Pilkingtons Recs A 14

Heysham Atoms 42 Cadishead Rhinos 22