The Atoms finally broke their duck in the League with a hard earned victory over in Oldham. In recent history this town has not been a happy hunting ground for the Atoms, who haven't won here since the late 90's, which made this victory even more pleasing. The Waterhead club is steeped in Rugby League history and looking at the some of the shirts presented by former players around the clubhouse - Sculthorpe, Harris, Sinfield and McDermott - gives you some idea of the quality produced in this area of Oldham.

The Atoms were able to field a more settled side having to make only two changes from last week against the Swan with Lee Harvey and Rob Shaw returning for the unavailable Greg Sykes and Callum Hall. This continuity of selection is helping the team bond together even though things have not been going too well in the opening two months of the season, this faith in the players is beginning to pay off.

The Atoms win wasn't pretty at times but two points is two points and the Heysham side can feel relieved that they are finally off and running in this highly competitive league.

In a very tight first half it was the Atoms who gained the upper hand targeting the middle ground as an area that must be dominated. The forwards worked over time gaining the ascendancy through sharing the workload and a determination to get their team on the front foot. Ex-Saints man Mark Walker revelled in the free role afforded to him by coach Saddler proving difficult to put down at the collision point. Sean Weed dictated play well off the back of his pack's effort, forcing Waterhead around with some intelligent kicking. The team and individual defensive patterns were working much better and showed that the hard work at training in this area had been taken in by the players. Where the Atoms did falter was when they were in striking distance they seemed to push the pass or make an unforced error that stopped the momentum.

On the 30-minute mark the scoreboard was finally brought into action as the Atoms turned this pressure into points. Good field position was gained by the hard working forwards and hooker Lithgow got the ball out of the tackle. The Atoms attacked blind and centre Billy Livingstone produced a nice pass for winger Mike Holmes to charge in at the corner for a try on his 30 th birthday.

The Atoms had to defend their line manfully for the remainder of the half as Waterhead exerted some real pressure on the Heysham line. The line held firm and the team took great heart from this going in at the break four nil up.

The Atoms side started the second period in a confident mood trying to reproduce the good form of the first half. Guy Richardson was looking dangerous coming out of defence making valuable yards for the cause. Waterhead's most dangerous player was their scrum half and it was he who got them back in the game after a neat chip and chase was collected by himself bringing the scores level at four all. Waterhead gained the lead momentarily when an Atoms error, from a goal line drop, out gifted the Oldham side an easy two points. This just made the Atoms more determined and a two try burst mid way through the second period put the Atoms right back in the driving seat. Firstly Liam Hall showed how dangerous he is close to the line breaking the first tackle, galloping 10 yards and diving over the whitewash. Sean Weed quickly followed up with another classy try of his own using good footwork to get between two defenders and forcing his way over the line for his second try in as many weeks. Livingstone converted giving the Atoms an eight-point cushion. The Atoms coaching staff were given a few palpitations as the error count increased and Waterhead's scrum half scored for the second time in similar manner to his first. This meant a nervy last five minutes but the Atoms held firm for a great morale boosting victory. The Atoms can look forward to home game at the Trimpell next Saturday against second placed Leigh East who had a great win themselves rolling over West Bank Swan 30 points to 22.

Atoms: G. Richardson, M. Holmes, S. Graham, B. Livingstone, M. MacIntyre, Sean Weed, A. Helme, L. Hall, G. Lithgow ( capt ), Shane Weed, K. Hartlebury, R. Shaw, M. Walker, Res: J. O'Donnell, L. Harvey, P. Livingstone, G. Winder.

Next Saturday:
League Vs Leigh East
At Trimpell Rugby League Ground
K.O. 2pm

What a superb defensive effort.

The Atoms travelled to Oldham on the weekend and took on Waterhead.

Talking to some of the players that have been around at the Atoms for some time they can't remember winning away at Oldham for many a year.

It was the grit and determination with their defence that won the Atoms their first victory of the season.

Time and time again Waterhead threw themselves at the Atoms line only to be repelled with stinging defence.

Leading for most of the game the Atoms hung on it what was a dire struggle to gain two competition points.

The Atoms almost threw any chance of victory away when they could not complete any sets out of the first nine in the second half, they continually had to defend for long periods of time.

It was a very rowdy shed after the game full of cheer and banter and you could sense that the monkey had taken an enormous leap off our shoulders.

Seven games into season and the win has placed a spring into my step and hopefully the step of all players, the expectations now is to work on the victory and try to replicate many more like it.

The Atoms can play much better than what they showed on Saturday; there defence was the best I have seen all year but their attack left a lot to be desired.

It is the allround game that needs to be played if we are to beat some of the top sides in the competition; we need to defend like we did on the weekend and attack with at least 75% completion of our sets.

When attacking opposition sides with the ball it is the pivotal players around the ruck that direct the traffic that need to relax and do the simple things right, this will then have a flow on effort to the rest of the team.

Till next week

GO THE ATOMS

Scott Saddler

Leigh East 30 West Bank Swans 22

Bamber Bridge 38 Pilkingtons Recs A 11

Dalton 19 Blackpool Scorpions 20

Hindpool 18 Leigh Miners Rangers 0

Glazebury Broncos 32 Ince Rose Bridge 20

Waterhead 10 Heysham Atoms 14