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Atoms Buck the Broncos! Heysham Atoms 16, Glazebury Broncos 7 The Heysham Atoms put last week's disappointment behind them and produced a performance that brought them their best victory of the season. Glazebury came with a big reputation having beaten the top two sides in the league already this season, and looking to maintain their promotion push. The Atoms' forwards took up the challenge and collectively produced their most damaging performance of the season. The physicality of the pack had gone up since last week and this laid an excellent foundation for victory. The opening exchanges were all about Glazebury and the wealth of possession that they were enjoying. Knock-ons by the Atoms and a repeat set put severe pressure on the Atoms' try-line. It was almost inevitable that this pressure would tell and, although Guy Richardson at full-back came up with a great try-saver, the Atoms couldn't keep out a 'scoop' down the blind side. The conversion from the touchline gave Glazebury a 6-0 lead with 10 minutes gone but this was the last time that the Warrington outfit would cross the Atoms' line. The next 70 minutes was all about the Atoms' determination not to yield anything and this attitude was prevalent right through all 17 players. As the Atoms came more into the game, the more Neil Walker had an influence on his side's tactics. His kicking game was exceptional punishing Glazebury with deep, accurate kicks that meant the Atoms won the territorial battle which was so important. Keith Hartlebury brought off a couple of important tackles and Shane Weed came to life showing how hard he is to put on the ground when he has a head of steam up. A tricky high ball was claimed by Guy Richardson under the shadows of his own sticks setting off on a mazy run that got him past the first set of chasers. This run continued over the halfway line and then it was a foot race with his opposite number. Richardson completed the 90m race for the line with an outstanding try converted by Livingstone Junior. One final attack by Glazebury was thwarted until, on the last play of the half, Glazebury slotted over a field goal to give them a slender 7-6 half-time lead. Josh O'Donnell and James Hesketh must have formed the youngest ever second row partnership in Atoms' history, totalling only 32 years between them. This lack of experience did not detract their performance in any way as both stood up admirably to the task in front of them. O'Donnell went close with a barn-storming run before the ball was transferred across to the right where another Atoms' 16-year-old was about to leave his mark. Ben Dorrington cut between two defenders and had enough strength to force his way over the line. Billy Livingstone continued with his fine kicking with the boot giving the Atoms a five point cushion at 12-7. The defensive effort of the team, but the forwards in particular, had to be at its best as Glazebury threw everything they knew into attack. The Atoms' line held firm and complemented this with a good completion rate with ball in hand. Mark Walker was at his dynamic best always getting his side on the front foot. Billy Livingstone got away on a 40-yard break and if the final pass to Helliwell on the wing had been more accurate, then a further Atoms' score would have been a formality. However, it wasn't long before the Atoms increased their lead when Walker found Lithgow on the right wing. Normally a half-back, Lithgow showed great acceleration to beat the cover and give the Atoms their third try of the game. Glazebury finished the game as they had started it with a monopoly of possession but they just couldn't find their way through an outstanding Atoms' defensive line. Heysham Atoms: Richardson, Helliwell, B Livingstone, Dorrington, N Walker, Hartlebury, Weed, Helme (capt), Hall, O'Donnell, Hesketh, M Walker. Res: Harvey, Shaw, Lithgow, P Livingstone. * This Saturday, the Heysham Atoms travel to play at Leigh East, kick-off 2.30pm. Beyond the Boundary
WHAT A VICTORY When everything comes together with the Atoms it is like pure poetry in motion. I was proud of the boy's achievements on the weekend, so much so that I indulged in a couple of amber liquids which is something I don't normally do. Let me try to explain on paper how good the Atoms defensive efforts where on the weekend, playing the side that is currently in fourth position on the ladder and a side that has scored over 400 points in 12 games at an average of 33 points per game, the Atoms boys held this devastating attacking team to a measly 7 points. The boys defended with everything that they had and the 4 replacements on the bench were outstanding, for at least 45 minutes of the game the Glazebury Broncos pressed the Atoms line and on many occasions where repelled by bone jarring defence. Both our pivots Keith Hartlebury and Neil Walker dominated the rucks and turned the opposition around with pin point passing with Walkers kicking game absolutely a pleasure to watch, deep kicks into the oppositions half that continually turned the large Broncos players around with monotonous pleasure, Neil certainly had the ball on a string on Saturday The future of the Atoms club was significantly stamped on Saturday with three players in the starting line up that where 16 years of age and two that were 17, all the young lads played above there age limit and it was wonderful to watch them blend into a side that already has experienced numerous battles of this nature. Andrew Helme at 43 years of age simply defies logic, this little war horse ran around all afternoon tackling everything that moved and through the transition stage dominated the play the ball and gave direction when needed, Andrew most times goes unnoticed for his achievements but this also could have a lot to do with being vertically challenged. All our forwards gave their best performance of the year and you could tell from the opening stanzas that we were in for a great contest, Mark Walker, Peter Livingstone, Josh O'Donnell ,Liam Hall, Shane Weed and Lee Harvey played very well and done everything that was asked of them. Ben Dorrington one of our 16 year old players played very well and scored a great try along with the speedy Gary Lithgow who side stepped a few opposition players to score in the corner. With this standard of football that the boys showed on the weekend I am really looking forward to the last 4 games of the year, and after being 10 th on the ladder for a couple of months 4 th or 5 th is not out of the question for this team that is steaming home with some momentum. Till next week GO THE ATOMS! Results Division 3 Hindpool 34 Leigh East 34 Heysham Atoms 16 Glazebury 7 |
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