The Heysham Atoms produced a stunning performance on Saturday away at Leigh Miners. The side had a very youthful look with five of the players under the age of nineteen. Ben Dorrington made light work of his debut into rugby league playing in the right centre channel and having a total involvement in all aspects of the game. Josh O'Donnell has really come of age in the side this season and has cemented his place in the side even through some tough competition for places. James Hesketh made his third start in Atoms colours and warmed to the challenge nicely. He was strong in contact and provided the extra pair of hands out wide when the Atoms were chasing the game in the second half. Billy Livingstone and Callum Hall completed the crop of Atoms young guns forming a dangerous partnership out wide on the left. Captain Gary Lithgow, operating in the hooking role, superbly led the Atoms and it was only fitting that he scored the decisive try with seven minutes remaining.

The match earlier in the season at the Trimpell had produced a game that had two well-matched teams and went right down to the wire with a try in the last minute deciding the outcome in Leigh's favour. The same was expected in this encounter as both sides employed a healthy appetite to move the ball around and to play a brand of football that was pleasing to the eye.

Early pressure from Leigh gave the Atoms chance to assess the strength of their defence as Leigh had three consecutive sets of six on the Atoms line. The Atoms line held firm and took great confidence from repelling these attacks. The Atoms made good progress with ball in hand and some intelligent long distance kicking from stand off Neil Walker always relieved pressure. The saying that 'a kick is only as good as the chase' was all too evident as the enthusiastic Dorrington and Callum Hall ran themselves into the ground chasing kicks and giving Leigh no time at all to settle on the ball. Guy Richardson has been so consistent this season bringing the ball away form his line but he even surpassed his own high standards making no amount of yards for his team through some excellent footwork and determination that defies his physique.

The first points of the half came after the Atoms coughed up possession on the half way line. Leigh quick as a flash made the transition from defence to attack and good passing got their winger into space. He showed enough pace to fend off the cover and score in the right hand corner.

The Atoms continued with their structured approach with Helliwell and Weed wining the battle for the floor. Liam Hall sparked an attack into life galloping into the centres. Just before contact he popped the ball to Billy Livingstone who hit the gap at pace. He went 40 meters down the left touch line leaving all Leigh's defenders in his wake for an excellent score. He could be forgiven for the failed attempt such was the distance on the wide pitch bringing the scores level at 4 all.

Loose forward Mark Walker had struggled to get into the game but as the half wore on he became more of a threat with ball in hand.

Coach for the day Andrew Raines was happy with the way the team had responded to his instructions in the first forty minutes but stressed the need to control possession. The first 15 minutes of the second half was all about Atoms mistakes that were punished in the worst possible way. The miners scored wide out on the right then controversially scored on a hack through close to the posts giving them a 14 points to 4 lead. The Atoms stayed calm and positive and made sure they completed their sets and played in the right areas of the field to give themselves a fighting chance. The swing in momentum changed as the Leigh forwards visibly tired. Gaps began to appear especially down the middle of the park, which were now being exploited by the willing Atoms runners. Mark Walker went close on a number of occasions before showing his strength to twist and turn his body over the line for a try converted by Livingstone. Richardson then went close after a neat chip through from Helme as Leigh looked very shaky. With 7 minutes to go the Atoms found the killer play to win the game. Hesketh trundled his way into the Leigh 20. Quick service gave Helme at pivot plenty of options. Lithgow came up the inside channel taking the pass and using Richardson as a decoy crashing over the line which Livingstone again converted to give the Atoms the lead for the first time.

Sensible rugby was asked for and got as the Atoms controlled the final stages. The defence was solid with a Dorrington dump tackle catching the eye, before the two points were secured with a Neil Walker drop goal on the last play of the game.

Heysham Atoms: Richardson, C.Hall, Livingstone, Dorrington, Winder, N.Walker, Helme, L.Hall, Lithgow, Weed, Helliwell, O'Donnell, M.Walker, Res : Harvey, Hesketh, Pyrah

Next Saturday: Atoms vs Clock Face Miners
N.W.C. Challenge Cup Round 2
At Trimpell Rugby League Ground
K.O.2pm
All Welcome

Saturday's game was certainly not the best game that the Atoms have played this season, but it was one of their more deserved victories.

It was a game built on commitment and dedication which showed throughout. The team was full of young talented players and debutants who certainly showed what they were capable of, never taking a backwards step.

Most impressive of these was Ben Dorrington, a 16 year old who has trained the house down for a number of months with the Atoms, and on Saturday the Sedbergh School debutant showed he has what it takes to produce the goods on game day too. He demonstrated excellent attack and defence; certainly a player for the future.

The Christmas cobwebs for the Atoms showed in the first half with numerous knock-ons and penalties given away. However in the second half the cobwebs had cleared and the Atoms were in full flight. This was a clear reflection on the dedication of the players with a never say die attitude, a well deserved win. Lets just hope that this can continue into the next few games.

Next week the Atoms face the challenge of opponents from a higher division in the North West Counties Cup, in the form of Clock Face Miners.

Andrew Raines

Division 3

Ince Rose Bridge 10 12 Leigh East

Glazebury Broncos 52 22 Bamber Bridge

Hindpool 14 14 Dalton

Leigh Miners Rangers 14 17 Heysham Atoms

Blackpool Scorpions 46 14 West Bank Swans