The Atoms returned to action on the wide expanses of the College pitch and found The Swan a very tough nut to crack.  A very pleasing first forty minutes could not be replicated in the second half as the Widnes outfit scored 5 tries, all from long range, using their extra yard of pace that they possessed across the three quarters to great effect.  The Atoms didn't help their cause by trying to force the final pass on numerous occasions when a cool head showing more patience would have suited the team far better.  Individually the Atoms had the better of the yardage gains, especially in the forwards, but collectively they struggled to exert any kind of sustained pressure due to an alarming error count.  The stand out players for the Atoms on the day were Mike Holmes operating in the centres, the ever reliable Guy Richardson at full back and the rapidly maturing Josh O'Donnell in the second row.

The start was nip and tuck with very little to choose between the teams both showing a high percentage in completion rates.  The Atoms looked to edge the forward exchanges but the Swan were dangerous just around the edges were the speed of the halfbacks were to cause a problem all game.

After a tight first 15 minutes it was the Swan who opened the scoring when their impressive hooker scrambled over the line from close range.  The Atoms tactics of a big powerful bench, with lots of rotation to keep up the intensity of the battle around the rucks  looked to be working as every 15 mins a fresh pair of legs came into the pack to liven things up.  Dave McVernon's return to the starting line up has been rapid since his shoulder injury and he showed no ill effects taking the ball up strongly and although not breaking the line, he was able to attract enough players to him to bring him down, that created gaps elsewhere. Keith Hartlebury and Neil Walker directed their runners well off the back of this dominance.

Mark Walker's powerful running got him his seventh try of the season as he cut back to the narrow side forcing his way over even under some heavy tackling.  Pete Livingstone and Dave McVernon pulled off 2 important tackles that prevented further Swan scores before winger Gavin Winder rounded off a sharp handling move going in at the right corner flag.  A swan penalty took the Atoms in at the break 8 - 6 to the good.

The half time talk was all about maintaining pressure at the right end of the field by holding onto possession and tiring out the Swan runners by making them work hard defensively. Unfortunately  the Atoms didn't heed these instructions as time after time they got into the right areas, through great approach work, only to force the pass and let the Swan off the hook.

The dangerous Gavin Helliwell on the left wing got into open spaces but the Atoms couldn't capitalise on these breaks as the Swans soaked up some heavy pressure.  As the Atoms forced the play it was the Widnes team who moved the ball wide quickly to expose a frail looking Atoms defensive line.  The Swan left wing was favoured with 3 rapid scores coming from this area and taking the game away from the Atoms.

To their credit the Atoms put everything they had into rescuing the game but their frailties in ball control let them down.  West Bank's number 13 cut he Atoms open down the middle of the park with a side stepping run finding his hooker on his shoulder to go under the black dot.

Mike Holmes and Guy Richardson made some big meter gains putting the Atoms in striking distance.  A well worked move involving lots of decoy runners gave Josh O'Donnell enough space to blast over the line for his first try of the season which was converted by Billy Livingstone.  This gave the Atoms a faint glimmer of hope with 10 mins remaining and 14 points behind but it wasn't to be as the Swan scored close to the final whistle.

Heysham Atoms: Richardson, Winder, Holmes, B,.Livigstone, Helliwell, N. Walker, Hartlebury, Hall, Helme, McVernon, Weed, O'Donnell, M. Walker res Harvey, P.Livingstone, Heskey, Shaw.

Next Saturday:
League vs Glazebury
At Trimpell
K.O. 2pm

All Welcome!

3 weeks without a game really told on the Atoms deep into the second half of the contest against the West Bank Swans

It was good to see some action finally after 3 weeks of wash outs and forfeits, The Atoms started like a house on fire, running into a very strong breeze the boys secured the first half lead 8-6 against a very strong swans outfit.

Taking 4 fresh forwards on the bench and having a rotation plan of playing at least 3 fresh forwards attacking or defending every 12 minutes probably had more detrimental help than good, some times throughout the game the continuity of the team suffered on a pitch that by far was the biggest we had played on all year.

At least 7 times the Atoms came raging into the Swans territory on the 3 or 4 th tackle and no more than 10 meters away from the Swans line only to see the wrong option taken on as many occasions.

Lack of discipline and lack of maturity were crucial many times throughout the second half and the frustration was even heard in the crowd when groans from the spectators when the Atoms where pressing the line became longer and louder.

The Swans capitalised on just about every mistake we made, The Atoms would concede possession when trying to score and the Swans capitalised on at least four occasions running 80-90 meters to score.

It was like Ground Hog day during the second half and enough to send any coach Grey!!

Frustration can be a terrible state of mind and the harder the Atoms boys tried on the weekend the worse it got, when you are playing any sport your state of mind must be in a relaxed mode for you to make the best decisions for yourself and the team.

Neil Walker played well at Fly half and so to his Brother Mark who received the players player from the opposition, Shane Weed, Guy Richardson, Josh O'Donnell and Michael Holmes played well and gave there all.

Although we lost 32-14 I was reasonably happy with the way the boys played and it was only the minor details that needed to be polished before we encounter our next challenge this Saturday, I thought that for longer periods during the game on the weekend we dominated play, unfortunately we encountered a team that were ruthless on our mistakes.

Till next week GO the Atoms!

Scott Saddler

Keep selling those cars at Jubilee Dougie you're a legend!!!

Dalton 28 16 Leigh Miners Rangers

Hindpool 6 34 Ince Rose Bridge

Heysham Atoms 14 32 West Bank Swans

Waterhead - - Leigh East Postponed