Leigh East 64 - Heysham Atoms 14
- North West Counties Division Four

This was always going to be a tricky opening fixture but the Atoms felt quietly confident about gaining a result after two battle-hardening Origin encounters.

How wrong they were as they were outplayed in most arrears of the game by a lively and youthful looking Leigh side.

Most disappointing for the coaching staff must have been how badly they fell away in the final quarter, especially in the defensive stakes as Leigh ran riot and scored virtually at will.

Poor preparation is always a recipe for disaster with the Atoms and they were found wanting in this department. With no recognised centre available, coach, Dave Crow, had to call on young Ollie Austin and at the other end of the scale Andy Helme to make up the midfield pairing.

Although up against an onslaught of runners both stuck to their task admirably.

Leigh's hooker started the game as the most energetic player on the field, making huge inroads, and he maintained this intensity throughout the game.

The darts from dummy-half were well supported, giving full-back, Gavin Winder, virtually no chance of halting the moves.

Before the Atoms had drawn breath, they found themselves 16-0 down through three quick-fire tries, with two converted.

The Atoms had been starved of possession, mainly due to giving the ball up too easily and then defending poorly.

There was a glimmer of hope as Mike Holmes entered the game from the bench. His quick feet and eye for a gap can cause no end of problems for defenders.

A completed set and a good, deep kick and chase forced the error. Turnover ball to the Atoms was taken full advantage of by the lively Holmes who wriggled out of a couple of tackles on his way to the line. Austin converted.

The feel good factor didn't last for long, though, as a Leigh overlap was converted into points.

The Atoms could not gain momentum close to the rucks. Dave McVernon moved one pass further out, gaining almost immediate reward.

Livingstone charged up the middle and drew the penalty. Austin coolly stepped up to take the two points from 30 metres out.

This brought the Atoms to within two scores at 20-8.

The call from the side was to hold out till half-time and regroup.

Unfortunately on the last play of the half a bobbling ball, placed behind winger and full-back, could not be cleared sufficiently enough to clear the danger and Leigh's hooker pounced for his second of the afternoon.

This was a cruel blow for the Atoms who had worked hard to get back into the game but at half-time they were 26-8 down.

The second half became a bit of a procession but not without pockets of resistance from the Heysham side.

Rob Shaw continued his fine form from the Origin series, working his socks off all afternoon and was one who could feel proud of his personal performance.

Liam Hall took the direct route while his fellow prop McVernon favoured the wide arcing runs. He made two clean breaks, the second of which resulted in a try for the hardworking Keith Hartlebury.

He burrowed himself under a couple of defenders for a deserved try. Austin slotted over the kick.

The Atoms began to struggle against the neat link play between the half-backs stretching the ball wider as the game wore on. Some less than impressive defending and a non-existent scramble to save the tries further demoralised a ragged-looking Atoms defence.

Shane Weed made a 30-yard blast down the right wing and Hall tried to break the line with some offloads at the tackle but it was all in vain.

A dejected-looking coach Crow has he got his work cut out to lift his players for next Saturday and it sure doesn't come any easier with the other Leigh club, the Miners visiting Trimpell next week.

All aspects need to be sharpened up, none more so than a leaky defence and an increase in energy levels.

Heysham Atoms: Winder, Jackson, A Helme, Austin, Ledwick, Telford, Hartlebury, McVernon, Aldren, Weed, Hall, Livingstone. Res: Helliwell, Holmes, C Helme, Pyrah, 18th man M Pike.

Portrait Pools.com Man of the Match: Liam Hall

Next Match: Saturday, Heysham Atoms Vs Leigh Miners Rangers, Trimpell, Out Moss Lane, Morecambe, 2.30PM KO.

Division 4

Pilkington Recs A 10 Langworthy Reds 24

Cadishead Rhinos 4 West Bank Swan 28

Blackbrook A 16 Higginshaw 06

Leigh Miners Rangers 10 Ince Rose Bridge 07

Leigh East 64 Heysham Atoms 14