Ince Rose Bridge 34 Heysham Atoms 12
22nd Sep 2007

North West Counties Div 3

After last weeks mauling at the hands of Pilkington Recs it was important to see how the Atoms reacted to that defeat and how they could bounce back this week. Rose Bridge always provides formidable opposition on their own patch so no one at the club was under any illusions about the task ahead. An improvement was asked for in the opening exchanges to the game an area that has really has been puzzling to the coaching staff after some great preparation leading into the games. Unfortunately this problem just won't go away as another disastrous start saw the Atoms concede twenty points in the opening twenty minutes. This was totally opposite to the following 60 minutes, which resulted in a 12 all game. The harsh facts were that the Atoms allowed Rose Bridge too many opportunities through lack of commitment in the tackle situation. Once this had been shored up it was an even contest but the Atoms had given the Wigan side too much of a head start.

The Atoms attack looked good and organised when in possession and although Rose Bridge never made the defensive errors the Atoms had made, there was plenty of encouraging signs. Callum Hall, operating in the centre, worked hard leading the chase on pressure kicks downfield. He also had to be alert when bringing the ball away strongly from his own line. Keith Hartlebury and Mark Walker were proving difficult to put down at the collision point making good yards with every drive. A better defensive set finally arrived on the twenty-five minute mark, which gave the Atoms confidence and a belief to push on. A goal line drop out gave the Atoms a repeat set but more importantly possession at the right end of the field. Good defence foiled an attack to the right corner and not to be detoured the Atoms swung the ball back to the left with a real purpose. Hartlebury kept the ball alive well in the tackle and full back Guy Richardson flashed in under the cover to get the Atoms on the board. Billy Livingstone converted with a little help from the upright. All this hard work was undone when a lack of concentration gifted possession back to Rose Bridge. The Atoms received a penalty on half way which captain Gary Lithgow took quickly he made a good break only to see his pass hit the floor when the support runner made a glaring handling error. The transition from defence to attack was swift with Rose Bridge showing good hands to finish off the move, and the half, with a try wide out on the right.

Some stern views were exchanged during the interval with the intention of making the Heysham side realise that it was they who were contributing most to their own downfall with some poor tackling.

Greg Sykes, in the second row, was making his first league appearance of the season and his work rate showed how sorely he has been missed over the last month. A series of penalties conceded valuable field position to Rose Bridge. The assault on the Atoms line couldn't be repelled and Ince scored wide on the right. The Atoms upped their game and began to play with a little more urgency. A period of pressure saw firstly Helme was held up then McVernon go close but it was all a bit too telegraphed and Ince cleared their lines. This did not deter the Atoms and a well-constructed move got loose forward Mark Walker into space. Full back Richardson trailed up the inside channel feeding Lee Harvey who showed great determination to reach the line. Intelligently he could see he wasn't going to make it and gave the try scoring pass back to Richardson who had supported his run, again on the inside. Livingstone, for the second time added the extras.

Mark MacIntyre was having an improved second period moving into the centres from the wing. He and winger Gavin Winder made an important tackle forcing the Rose Bridge winger into touch, a play that is always well appreciated by their teammates.

The Atoms finished the game strongly but it wasn't without casualties. Prop forward Dave McVernon left the field late on, with a nasty looking shoulder injury one which could keep him out of the side for the immediate future, which is a further blow to the Atoms ambitions.

Heysham Atoms: Richardson, Holmes, Hall, Livingstone, MacIntyre, N.Walker, Helme, McVernon, Lithgow, Helliwell, Hartlebury, Sykes, M.Walker, Res: O'Donnell, Winder, Harvey, Birkett

We didn't come out of the shed firing.

26-6 at-halftime and 32-12 at fulltime two-halves of rugby league worlds apart from each other.

If the Atoms want to do well in this league they need to concentrate on putting two halves together like the second half last Saturday and they will win most contests in this division throughout the year.

Consistency is a word very often used in modern sporting arenas these days, but one last weekend that rang alarm bells throughout the players and supporters that took the trip to Ince Rose Bridge .

In the first half the pace of the game took most players by surprise and the amount of missed tackles and the ability to be able to bring a player to the ground without that player getting 1st and 2nd phase passes away took its toll on the team. The second half was completely different and saw a side desperate to stay within the contest, the communication across the pitch increased their ability to control possession was better and a lot less missed tackles from the first half saw a 6-6 score from half time to the end of the game.

This is the type of rugby league as a coach I am looking for week in week out and the ability to be able to physically stay in front or within striking range of opposition teams throughout most contests.

Mark Walker again-excelled with 35 tackles and 17 hitups along with Greg Sykes who also achieved 35 tackles and 14 hitups both players managing to play all 80 minutes of football. Other players to play well were Keith Hartlebury and Guy Richardson at fullback tried there hardest in a losing team.

The next few weeks we will be without two of our key players, Liam Hall and Dave McVernon. Liam has tom a muscle in his leg and Dave broke his collar bone last Saturday. This will undoubtedly place more pressure on the team as a whole and be a challenging opportunity and character building for those players that need to step up to the plate.

The Atoms play at home this week at Trimpell Park , Out Moss Lane , Morecambe.

We need as a team to make our home pitch a daunting venue for visiting sides, this can be achieved by showing individual pride, player and team consistency and most of all having respect for the Atoms jumper.

Until next time GO THE ATOMS.

Scott Saddler

Division 3

Glazebury 4 Leigh East 40

Hindpool 30 Bamber Bridge 12

Dalton 20 Waterhead 26

Ince Rose Bridge 32 Heysham Atoms 12

Leigh Miners Rangers 8 West Bank Swans 38

Blackpool Scorpions 42 Pilkingtons Recs A 24