All who witnessed this game on Saturday were in the same opinion that this was the best game seen, at the immaculate surroundings of the Trimpell ground, this season.

Although the Atoms lost by the slender lead of two points they contributed massively to a high quality encounter.  The Atoms were never in the lead in this game, and although they matched their opponent's try for try, this proved the decisive factor in the contest.

Ince Rose Bridge's National Conference side were left without a game so the Wigan outfit travelled with a strong squad that was rammed full with experienced players.  The Atoms boys stood up to this challenge manfully and produced one of their best performances of the season.  The work of the forwards usually dictates who wins the game yet it is rare to see them receive the recognition they deserve when calculating the man of the match.  On this occasion the two number eights on the field were rightly named as the most influential players on the pitch.  Liam Hall and his opposite number were outstanding in the go forward department working tirelessly for their teams cause.  This was an old fashioned contest containing everything that is great about rugby league.  The evenly matched teams fought hard for the middle ground, swung the ball wide when the opportunities arose and never took a backward step as the hits came in.

The Atoms made a confident start to the contest completing their first three sets looking comfortable with ball in hand.  Unfortunately their defence was a little shaky and an early-conceded try had the coaching staff scratching their baldheads.  This early error in the past would have unsettled the Atoms but today the Atoms decided that the only way to combat this free scoring Ince side was to have a real go back.  Almost immediately the Atoms hit back when Hartlbury ran the ball on the last sending full back Guy Richardson over for his first of the game, swivelling over the line close to the posts.  The Atoms maintained the siege on Rose Bridge's line forcing a goal line drop out but this extra bit of pressure couldn't be turned into points.  An Atoms knock on and a needless penalty for stripping the ball in the tackle let the momentum swing back to the Wigan side taking advantage of an overlap created.

Veteran winger Gavin Helliwell rolled back the years with a powerful display on the left wing.  His eagerness for the ball and his sheer strength got him over the line for his second try of the season.  The spectators were really appreciating this end-to-end game and when Shane Weed bent Rose Bridge's scrum half with an enormous 'shot' close to the line it showed how much it meant to the players as well.

Ince scored from a scrum and then an attacking move down the Atoms left produced another score.  Sandwiched in between was Helliwell's second of the game.  A move down the right then the ball was switched back to the left were the inform Livingstone found his winger on a great line. Again power was the deciding factor with Helliwell going over and bringing the Atoms back in it at 22 . 14

The second period was just as intense as the first with Gary Lithgow and Mark Walker coming more into form.  Lithgow found Liam Hall on an unstoppable drive bringing the Atoms back to within 4 points.  A boil over in the middle of the park brought out a couple of yellow cards but this did not detract the players from their ultimate goal.  Tit for tat scoring again happened with the Atoms try coming from a kick from stand off Hartlebury, which held up beautifully behind the line.  Liam Hall reacted the quicker and pounced for his second of the game.  Livingstone added the conversion and the sides were two points apart again.  A poor piece of defending let Rose Bridge score directly from a scrum.  Josh O'Donnell again came on to impress with his big hits in defence.  The Atoms threw everything into attack and the move of the game came next.  The Ball was brought away from the Atoms line towards the half way line.  Liam Hall provided the ideal decoy as Andy Helme put Bryan Cambidge into a hole with great slight of hand.  Cambidge galloped 40 meters before feeding Guy Richardson who outstripped the cover for his second of the game.  The last 5 minutes was all about the Atoms and although they had a wealth of possession they could not find a way through

Team:

Richardson, Winder, Cambidge, B.Livingstone, Helliwell, Hartlebury, Helme, Hall, Lithgow, Weed, Shaw, P.Livingstone, M. Walker, Res: O'Donnell, Harvey, Pyrah, N.Walker.

The Atoms fixtures resume on 5 th . Jan

Ince Rose Bridge

What a game of rugby league, it will go down as one of the most entertaining games that I have been apart of for some time.

Again we just fell short of the mark, but it wasn't without the team giving whatever we had in the tank, it was a game that although we lost I was very proud to be part of an team that put everything on the line to win.

There have been times throughout the season that we have been happy enough to compete but on the weekend victory was at the forefront of the teams every move.

It is unfortunate in this competition that players can come back two divisions of league and compete in a competition that week in week out division 3 rugby league players are striving to win and move up the ladder.

Ince Rose Bridge ran out on Saturday with five 1st division players that were simply head and shoulders above any other player on the park for the Bridge team.

Although playing against these first division players helps us to become a better team it doesn't help us progress further through the competition table.

I am very proud of all my players for not only did we produce our best defensive effort for the year we scored 4 tries that were real crowd pleasers.

3 players got doubles in the try scoring department, Liam Hall, Guy Richardson and Gavin Halliwell.

The Atoms are clearly starting to play a really classy brand of Rugby league at the moment and it is very exciting time at the club, we are progressing very well in a lot of areas but still need to do some work on our defence around the scrum base and our 5 th tackle options.

Liam Hall, Gary Lithgow, were simply outstanding in all facets of the game with Brian Campbell and Keith Hartlebury gave their all in a very close encounter

I was fortunate that my son Mitchell who plays rugby league in Australia witnessed the game on the weekend, we sat with a cold stubby and I asked for some feedback on the boys, some of the things he mentioned that the team showed real determination it was a great game to watch and some players would easily make it in Australia.

To everybody who reads this column on a regular basis have a very Merry Xmas and a happy and prosperous new year, drive safely and take care.

If you would like to comment on the these columns or you want to know more about the Atoms then send your comments to scottsaddler@btconnect.com

Till next year

Go The Atoms in 2008

Scott Saddler

Division 3

Leigh East 26 Glazebury 36

Bamber Bridge 30 Hindpool 16

Waterhead 34 Dalton 6

Heysham Atoms 30 Ince Rose Bridge 32

West Bank Swans 17 Leigh Miners Rangers 20