NWC Div 3

October 18, 2008

The Heysham Atoms fielded one of their youngest ever teams on Saturday with an average of 22 with only 2 of the 17 players over the age of 30.  This gives the club some real optomism for the future but harsh lessons were learned on a damp windy afternoon at the home of the league leaders.  The reality is that weak defence will certainly lose you matches and until this young inexperienced side develops a steely edge in this part of their game than they will lose more than they win.

The Atoms lost Liam Hall with a thigh injury on the first tackle of the game and 2 errors on their first 2 possessions put a question mark over whether the Atoms were in the right frame of mind.  A high shot from the Atoms compounded their poor start having to defend their line within minutes of the opening.  3 missed tackles allowed Parksides classy centre to stride over in the right hand corner.  Parkside doubled their lead almost immediately from the restart when a high ball was fumbled and picked up by Parksides winger who went in at the same place as the first. 

The Atoms got over the initial shock and got to the right end of the field.  Keith Hartlebury offloaded on the last tackle when he shaped to kick, Josh O'Donnell continued the play and Mark Walker fired out a cut out pass to Ben Dorrington who hit a gap striding over for the first Atoms score.  Billy Livingstone converted. 

The Atoms concentration from the restart was poor as the kick off was allowed to bounce out behind the dead ball line.  The drop out wasn't deep enough and again the Atoms left hand defence was targeted.  Try number 3 was scored for Parkside which had an air of "all too easy" about it.

Billy Livingstone looks sharp with ball in hand this season and he made a 40 yard break down the left wing.  He was only halted by an excellent covering tackle by Parksides full back.  From the resulting scrum Parkside scored directly from the first tackle which was the most disappointing score of the afternoon to concede.

Mike Holmes is also having a fine start to the season with his foot work and accelleration making him plenty of yards.  He took a short pass from Hartlebury 20 metres out and showed great determination and skill to score his second try of the season.  The Atoms got within touching distance from the Golbourne side when skipper for the day Mark Walker blasted down the blind side to squeeze in at the corner flag bringing the scores close at 18 to 16 to Parkside.  This was the nearest the Atoms would get as less than committed defending allowed Parkside 2 further scores before the break.  Half time 30-16 to Parkside.

Keith Hartlebury tried to raise his team mates with a couple of big hits early in the second period but the defence as a team was at times shambolic.  All the pressure was being exerted on the Atoms line and it was only a matter of time before the lead was increased.  A try from Parkside was quickly followed by an Atoms attack down the middle of the park.  Young forwards Ginocchio and O'Donnell led the way with some good drives, 2 flip passes from Neil Walker and Dorrington put Livingstone in to space and he finished off the move for the Atoms 4th try of the contest. 

Individually the Atoms had some fine performances, none more so than Lee Harvey and Rob Shaw in the pack and Ben Dorrington at full back.  These 3 continually took the side forward as the instructions from the sidelines were to try and attack from everywhere.  This tactic was frought with danger but it showed that the Atoms were prepared to give it a real go.  An intercepted pass and a fumbled ball gave Parkside 2 long range scores that gave the scoreline a slightly lopsided look but the half century of points was reached. 

Scoring 20 points away from home against the unbeaten league leaders should have meant that this young Atoms side would be competing in the game.  Unfortunately they let themselves down and looked too easy to score against and will have to work really hard in this area if they are to compete with the top sides in this division.

Heysham Atoms: B Dorrington, G Winder, M Holmes, B Livingstone, C Thomas, N Walker, K Hartlebury, L Hall, M Marrin, L Harvey, C Hall, R Shaw, M Walker (Capt) Subs:  D Ginnochio, J O'Donnell, J Harrison, P Taylor

Next Saturday league game Atoms at home to Haresfinch (St Helens) at the Trimpell Rugby League ground.  Kick off 2.30pm.  All Welcome.