Vs

HEYSHAM ATOMS - 10 POINTS

The Atoms had a disappointing end to 2008 with defeat at the hands of their cumbrian rivals Dalton.  Again for the second week in succession the Atoms were undone by a poor first half performance.  Things started very brightly for the Atoms with second rowers Rob Shaw and Josh O'Donnell well to the fore but once the first score went in for Dalton on the twenty minute mark, the Atoms were unable to stem the flow of points which alarmingly reached 24 before the break.

The Atoms were forced to make five changes from last weeks game against Orrell St James with Ben Dorrington and Jake Harrison coming into the back division.  The Atoms seemed to be controlling possession well in the early exchanges with Neil Walker kicking well on the undulating pitch.  Ben Dorrington and Gavin Winder chased hard and harried Dalton's full back giving him no time to clear his lines.  Dalton took first points as they scored wide out on the Atoms right with what looked like a suspect last pass.  A second try soon followed close to the posts before a comedy of errors gifted Dalton their third try on the opposite wing.  An Atoms player came in to complete the tackle and knocked his own player off the attacker allowing him to regain his feet and squeeze in at the corner.

The Atoms finally got to the right end of the field and were able to stay there for a couple of sets.  Neil Walker found Liam Hall with a short pass and he barged his way over from close range, that Billy Livingstone converted for the two extra points.

Dalton took the game away from the Atoms with two scores before the break with some less than convincing defending.

Half-time 24-6 .

The break came at the right time as the Atoms were looking all at sea and it gave the coaching staff time to address certain areas.  Veteran pivot Andy Helme was introduced for the injured Keith Hartlebury and given strict instructions to play with more width and numbers in attack.  He rolled back the years and gave a vintage performance of passing and creating space for his players.  Mark Walker benefited most and altered his running to wider out giving him more space with devastating effect.  The Atoms pinpointed a weakness in Dalton's right centre position and most of the Atoms second half attacks were directed to this area.  Jake Harrison got away down the left wing but a foot on the whitewash halted his progress to the try-line.  Billy Livingstone came alive with more and more possession reaching his hands.  He and his centre partner Mike Holmes were looking dangerous and able to make good ground one on one with their opposite numbers.  Dalton increased their lead before the Atoms scored the try of the game.  Three quick play the balls from the forwards got Dalton moving backwards.  Helme, Walker and Dorrington combined to put Billy Livingstone into some space.  He showed great determination to get to the line for a try that was out of the top drawer.  The Atoms were playing with far more control which seemed to lift the confidence of the team.  Shane Weed made a welcome return to the team after a lengthy absence from a broken ankle.  He will only get better as his match fitness returns adding further to the selection headache especially in the forwards.  Some sterling work from Dorrington at full back and a last gasp tackle from Helme kept Dalton quiet for most of the half. 

The final attack of the game brought Dalton their last score as their impressive stand-off shimmied his way over the line.

The Atoms now have a two week break for the holiday period and time to regroup and refocus especially on their opening to games.

Heysham Atoms:B Dorrington, G Winder, M Holmes, B Livingstone, J Harrison, N Walker,  K Hartlebury, L Hall, M Marrin, D Ginnocchio, J O'Donnell, R Shaw, M Walker (capt).  Res: D Scanlon, A Helme, P Livingstone, S Weed.