Heysham Atoms 23, Blackpool Scorpions 40
October 6, 2007

Before this game began there were 10 places separating these two sides on the League ladder. For the first thirty minutes it would have been impossible to tell what position these two sides held as the Atoms took the game by the scruff of the neck like they had not done on any occasion yet this season. They raced into a 17 nil score-line against the as yet unbeaten league leaders that contained a number of semi pros from national league two side Blackpool Panthers. The Atoms showed no respect to their oppositions reputation and crashed head on into them from the first whistle. Where the Atoms did come unstuck was the last 10 minutes of each half when the intensity of their efforts was beginning to take its toll and an inexperienced bench that lacked a couple of forwards.

Within three minutes of the kick off the Atoms had posted their first try after good defensive work had forced the error, turning over the ball 10 meters from the line.

A tried and tested attacking ploy again paid off as Loose Forward Keith Hartlebury crashed over from a Lithgow short pass. The ever-reliable Billy Livingstone added the extra 2 points. The Scorpions were having difficulty in completing their sets through some unforced errors and some energetic Atoms defending. These opportunities have been missed in previous games but not today from the Atoms. There was a determination in the Atoms attacks and when Shane Weed was able to off-load the ball 10 meters from Scorpions line another opportunity was created. Simple hands were all that was needed to take advantage of a 4 on 3 overlap wide on the left. Helme, Richardson and Graham executed there skills drawing their man on at the right time, before releasing their pass and putting winger Callum Hall away, in the corner, for his first try of the campaign.

The mistakes from the Blackpool side were gifting field position to the Atoms and a Livingstone penalty and a Neil Walker drop goal stretched their lead further. Liam Hall was asked to up his work rate with the lack of inter-change in the forwards and his reward for extended game time was his 7 th . Try of the season. He is at his most dangerous close to the line proving unstoppable once again as he took his side into a 17 nil lead, which mirrored the early dominance of the Heysham side.

Weather it was fatigue setting in or the Scorpions finally getting their act together the 10 minutes before half time belonged solely to the Blackpool side. The Atoms just started to wilt in their defensive duties and this was all the league leaders needed, as an invitation to get back into the game. Their influential scrum half started the scoring with a try in the left hand corner. A long kick and chase from a scrum on the first tackle caught the Atoms by surprise bringing the second score, and a missed tackle under the posts brought up the third. All 3 were converted which took the Scorpions into a 1-point lead at the break, which was scant reward for the Atoms who had dominated the half.

The Atoms started the second period as they had in the first. Guy Richardson made a break from full back and Liam Hall was held up over the line before Andy Helme snapped over a field goal to bring the scores level. Gary Lithgow was back to his best always making yards out of dummy half. His break led to the Atoms regaining the lead as Helme knocked over his second drop goal in as many minutes. In the hard working pack Rob Shaw was having an outstanding match inspiring young Josh O'Donnell to have his finest game in Atoms colours.

A couple of needless penalties piggybacked the Scorpions down field. A period of Blackpool pressure resulted in their winger scoring in the corner. A super kick off from Livingstone forced a goal line drop out allowing the Atoms to stay in the right area of the field. Gary Lithgow set up the next play and when his decoy runners took away all the defenders he darted over the line to nudge the Atoms in front again by a point. Pete Livingstone then winger Mike Holmes made significant territory down the right wing but this failed to yield any points.

As with the first period the final 10 mins of the game was were the league points were decided. The Blackpool side brought on the big guns for the final push with their power proving the decisive factor. Three tries in this crucial period showed the Atoms have a little catching up to do in terms of knowing how to kill off a game but they are learning every week and certainly heading in the right direction.

Team: Richardson, Holmes, Graham, B.Livingstone, C.Hall, N.Walker, Helme, L.Hall, Lithgow, Weed, Shaw, P.Livingstone, Hartlebury Res O'Donnell, Winder, Jarvis, Harper.

Next Saturday no game due to grand final at Old Trafford.

What a start to the game at Blackpool !!

The Scorpions were undefeated and the Atoms were missing a few of their first starters but this shaping up to be a titanic struggle.

In the shed before the game I asked all the players to wear their heart on their sleeve and stand up and be counted, this could be the day the supporters talk about in years to come, a platform to be able to propel ourselves forward with.

After 25 minutes of football the Atoms lead 17-0 and were playing some of the best football they had played all year, the completion rate was over 90% with possession and everyone was standing up to be counted it was 25 minutes of football this year that I will remember for a long time.

The Scorpions came into half time 1 point behind and for the rest of the game dominated play and went on to win comfortably in the end.

There has been numerous times in the last few weeks that the Atoms have strung together 20 really good minutes of football here and there that clearly shows that they have the potential to match it with any side in this competition, however 20 minutes here and there doesn't win rugby league matches unless the other side are of a lesser capability.

Unfortunately in this division not to many teams are going to give you any opportunity and the Atoms need to start to put together longer sustained attacking and defending momentum in order to be able to compete at this level.

Rob Shaw, Guy Richardson, Andrew Helme, and Liam Hall individually excelled in their roles and Garry Lithgow was outstanding and clearly gave his all in his best performance of the season so far.

The art of a coach sometimes even though the side isn't winning is to still stay reasonably happy and try to look for positive points and lift the spirits of the team for the following weeks contest.

The Atoms are friends and play because they enjoy the outing and the comradeship the game brings, however in this league the Atoms need to be hungrier and not accept defeat so casually, until defeat has a bitter taste in every player's mouth losses will be accepted as standard too easily.

Until next week go the Atoms

Scott Saddler

(Thanks Paul G for your nice comments)

Leigh Miners Rangers 30 Leigh East 36

Ince Rose Bridge 32 Bamber Bridge 16

Glazebury Broncos 20 Dalton 38

Hindpool Tigers 38 Waterhead 4

Blackpool Scorpions 40 Heysham Atoms 23

Pilkingtons Recs A Postponed West Bank Swans