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Atoms Bridge the Gap Bamber Bridge 26 points, Heysham Atoms 34 points The Heysham Atoms took the short trip to South Preston and came away with a creditable win but more importantly two vital league points which took them out of the bottom two League positions for the first time this season. It wasn't a game for the purist but it was hard fought and uncompromising at times with the Atoms just showing enough determination at the end of the game to get past their plucky opponents. A pleasing aspect of the performance was the way in which they constructed some of their tries, playing confidently and being able to maintain the intensity right up until the final whistle. The changes to the training regime now seems to be paying dividends in this aspect of play but should only be seen as a stepping stone to greater things and for the squad to realise their full potential. A good solid start saw the Atoms force an early goal line drop out then force an error on Brigs first possession. A well-worked move from the back of the scrum got the Atoms off to a flier when Richardson shot into a gap created by stand off Sykes. He showed he had enough gas and rounded the move off in some style. Bamber Bridge were able to force some pressure with good field position in the Atoms left corner. Their veteran hooker was having dash around the rucks and causing a few problems, which the Atoms were just about holding out. Brig's loose forward, who was their stand out player on the day, forced his way over from close range. This turned out to be the scoring pattern for most of the game as no side could gain full control as the game ebbed and flowed. The Atoms came up with an error when they failed to kick on the last tackle when still inside their own half. These easy turnovers have been punished throughout the season and today proved to be no different as Bamber scored off the resulting set of six. A high kick out to the Atoms right wasn't dealt with and Bamber's attackers gratefully accepting the gift and a six point lead. Mark Walker has been in sparkling form this season being named man of the match, by the opposition, on 7 occasions out of his 11 starts to date. His powerful running always has the Atoms going forward which is a massive advantage to the ball players behind. A knock-on from Brig and quick thinking from MacIntyre keeping the ball alive in the tackle gave Walker a chance to show his strength and crash over the line bringing the scores level again at 12 all. Tit for tat scores followed up to the break, firstly by Bamber Bridge's loose forward scored his second of the match, running through some poor Atoms defence. Then an 80 yard play from the Atoms, going route one straight down the middle of the ruck, with quick play the balls, Liam Hall taking the final pass for his first of the day. Billy Livingstone converted for the third time. The final play of the half saw Hartlebury take in a punishing drive. Walker made a half break on the back of it getting young Livinstone one on one with his winger. He decided to take him on the outside and although he got dragged into touch this move served notice that any attacking opportunity would be explored by the free scoring Heysham side. The talk at half time was to tighten up the defensive area of their game and a win was a real proposition. Unfortunately the Brig side didn't want this to happen showing their intent taking a short kick off and regaining possession almost immediately. They went the further 40 meters and posted a try to take the lead even before the Atoms coach had retaken his lonely position on the hill at the end of the ground. The Atoms lost centre Steve Graham with broken fingers and was replaced by Mike Marrin who was making his first appearance of the season. Captain Lithgow inspired his side with a searing 40-yard break. On his shoulder was Liam Hall who had worked hard to get up in support taking the pass and striding 10 yards to score his 13 th try in 11 games this season, again locking the sides at 22 all. Bamber Bridge broke the deadlock on the 65-minute mark scoring from another kick out to the Atoms right. Crucially the conversion failed, as did a penalty shortly afterwards giving the Atoms only one score to catch up and regain the lead. Harvey and O'Donnell came on for their second spells maintaining the intensity, which was important if the Atoms were going to gain victory. The Atoms stuck to their most effective weapon, which was back on the inside; catching out the tiring Bamber defenders and with 8 minutes remaining got the crucial score. The Atoms forwards collectively got their side over the half way line and a Hall break and offload gave Billy Livingstone another opportunity to show his pace. He skipped out of one tackle before out stripping the covering defenders and going under the posts to make the extras a formality. This gave the Atoms a 2-point cushion but the body language stated that they weren't finished there. Although they got a bit excited at times trying to cement the victory further with every play it was all very positive to watch. Livingstone kicked deep on the last and the chase from veterans Helliwell and Helme showed how much a victory here meant to them dumping the full back and forcing the error. A quick transition from defence to attack again had Brig defending their line. The outstanding Hartlebury sealed victory stretching out to score close to the sticks giving Livingstone his 5 th conversion out of 6 and a well-earned victory. Heysham Atoms: Richardson, MacIntyre, Brooks, Graham, Livingstone, Sykes, Helme, Weed, Lithgow, Hall, Shaw, Hartlebury, Walker Res : O'Donnell, Harvey, Helliwell, Marrin Next Saturday: N.W.C.Challenge Cup Round One vs Cadishead Rhinos Beyond the Boundary
Two wins from three games and you can feel the momentuem starting to build, it is a good feeling at the club at the moment and one I know that we can build on further. The Atoms at the moment are really starting to gel as a team and some of the tries that were scored on the weekend were spectacular with the ball going through as many as eight sets of hands. We still as a team can't manage to put our defence and attack on show at the same time, and it was telling on the weekend letting Bamber Bridge score 4 easy tries, which for me made the icing on the cake taste a little bland. On many occasions throughout the second half Bamber Bridge lead the game and at some stages by as much as 8 points, it was a stunning 10 minutes of gritty defence that repelled the Bamber Bridge team, and at this crucial point in the match if they'd scored throughout this run of possession the game might have been without reach. The bench was depleted and with only one substitute left and many players out on there feet it was that burning will to win that we have been looking for all year that got us over the line. Confidence as I mentioned last week is the most important ingredients when you are playing a team sport and it is something I can feel on the training pitch in the shed before the game and when you watch the Atoms play. All the players played well on the weekend, some special mentions to Liam Hall again was strong up front, Gary Lithgow was great with defence and attack, Guy Richardson's runs bringing the ball back from fullback was outstanding and made many yards for the team, and man of the match Mark Walker clearly was the best on the pitch and gets better every week. Till next week Go the Atoms! Results Division 3 Leigh East 38 Waterhead 14 Bamber Bridge 26 Heysham Atoms 34 Dalton 40 West Bank Swans 14 Hindpool 46 Pilkingtons Recs A 6 Glazebury 26 Blackpool Scorpions 14 Leigh Miners Rangers 20 Ince Rose Bridge 14 |
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To win at Bamber Bridge is a great achievement. 
