Cadishead Rhinos 10 - Heysham Atoms 22

ALTHOUGH the league standings suggested an easy ride over in Salford on Saturday, the Atoms were well aware of the difficult task in front of them.
Resources had to be shuffled as a few unavailabilities gave the Atoms a changed look with Dave McVernon lining up in the centre and Steven Jackson coming back onto the wing.
A cagey opening from both sides created few opportunities and it looked like the most patient side would benefit the greater.
The Atoms' left-hand attack saw most of the ball in the opening exchanges. A perfectly-weighted Keith Hartlebury kick allowed his chasers to make the tackle and force Cadishead's full-back over the line.
From the drop-out, Cadishead conceded a penalty with Ollie Austin taking the two points.
Rob Shaw left the field on the 20-minute mark after hurting himself in a tackle to be replaced by Jim Hamilton. He was soon followed to the side lines by full-back, Gavin Winder, who too injured a shoulder.
A major re-shuffle had to take place with Austin moving to full-back and Russell Birkett joining McVernon out in the centres.
Whilst these new partnerships were bedding in, Cadishead were enjoying some success down the Atoms' right defence. but were denied by an excellent covering tackle by stand-off, Simon Brooks.
Pete Livingstone led the line-out of defence, making valuable, pressure relieving yards for his team.
The Atoms needlessly turned over ball with a spate of dropped balls but normal service was soon resumed as Austin kicked over his second penalty of the afternoon for a 4-0 lead.
McVernon was warming to his job out in the centre and this was enhanced as he clattered his opposite number with a big hit just before the break.
Straight from the restart, the Atoms re-affirmed their authority as the outstanding Livingstone broke the line on a 30-yard trundle.
Birkett continued the attack with good support play and McVernon finished off the move, cutting inside and going under the black dot making Austin's kick all the easier.
Something the Atoms have been guilty of this season is relaxing once they have scored. This again came to haunt them as Cadishead scored from a kick-through on the last tackle, grounding the ball before the Atoms defenders.
The Atoms re-focussed and started completing their sets again. On the 55-minute mark, the Atoms scored the all-important try as Hartlebury made a half-break but the speed of the play-the-ball was the decisive play.
This allowed hooker Andy Helme to jump out of dummy-half and find McVernon on a straight line. He showed too much power bouncing off two defenders on his way to his second try of the game.
Austin kept up his 100 per cent kicking record taking the Atoms into a 10-point cushion at 16-6.
A crossfield kick from Hartlebury was nearly taken by youngster, Dean Marston, who again was involved in everything from the moment he stepped onto the pitch.
It was only a matter of time before the Atoms broke the line again. Helme went close before Hartlebury brought Birkett back at the angle on a run that took him over the line for a converted try and a 22-6 lead.
Austin and Jackson were put under a bit of pressure and forced to defend their line on Cadishead's favoured side on the right wing.
A couple of silly penalties gave Cadishead some territory. The Atoms were forced onto their own line with the first wave of attack repulsed with a big Liam Hall tackle.
The second wave came and too was forced away but the third was just too much with Cadishead giving themselves a final 10 minutes with something to play for.
The Atoms remained solid and were able to see off the danger and take two valuable league points.

Atoms: Winder, Jackson, Austin, McVernon, Pyrah J, Brooks, Hartlebury (capt), Weed, Helme, Hall, Shaw, Livingstone, Birkett. Reserves: Hamilton, Pyrah E, Marston, T Tong.
* THE Atoms host Pilkingtons this Saturday at Lancaster and Morecambe College. Kick-off is 2pm.

Division 4

Pilkington Recs A 28 Ince Rose Bridge 08

Langworthy Reds 44 Higginshaw 04

Leigh East 20 West Bank Swan 28

Cadishead Rhinos 10 Heysham Atoms 22

Blackbrook A 00 Leigh Miners Rangers 11