November 29th, 2008
Hindpool Tigers 8
Heysham Atoms 6

North West Counties Division Three HEYSHAM Atoms were just edged out by fierce rivals Hindpool Tigers in Barrow on Saturday.

The game had an added edge after the previous week when Hindpool had failed to fulfil their Challenge Cup game against the Atoms, blaming illness and holidays.

The pitch looked heavy and was waterlogged in places with a thin crust of ice. It was difficult to see the full length of the pitch due to the thick fog - perfect conditions for a great game of rugby league, which is what was produced by the two sides.

The first half was a real war of attrition with both sides slogging it out in the middle of the park.

The Atoms looked the better side and were making the inroads towards the Tigers line.

Callum Hall was once again at his best with his impressive work-rate. His tackling was shaking the ball free and giving the Atoms good field position.

It must have seemed a long way from home for Australian Nathan Tait but he didn't show it. His tackling was awesome, regularly smashing into the oncoming attackers. If the Atoms were going to score it looked like it would be created by man-of-the-match Tait, who was always testing the line with his running and probing kicks.

Even in the terrible conditions, both sides kept the ball alive well and the Atoms looked like they were going to get on the scoresheet when Liam Hall turned in the tackle and fed Michael Holmes who in turn found Mike Marrin who was stopped close to the line. From the play the ball, Tait took it to the line but was held up.

When the Atoms were under pressure, the defence held up well with Stuart Lacey and Gavin Winder both doing well, the latter making some excellent quick decisions. But the game was at a stalemate and the sides finished the first half 0-0.

The half-time talk was all positive by coach Dave Crow and Heysham came out in the same frame of mind, aiming to complete their sets and be patient.

There were changes to make with the Atoms losing outstanding full-back Guy Richardson to a back injury. Billy Livingstone moved to full-back with Neil Walker switching to centre from scrum-half but this didn't trouble the Atoms as they got on with the job.

The Atoms were first to make the telling break when Mark Walker broke from the scrum and fed Holmes who made great yards into the Tigers half. The forwards took the ball on and got close to the try line.

Tait put a short kick into the deadball area forcing Hindpool to kick out. From the resulting dropout, the ball was taken up and then spun wide to Tait who beat two men to score close to the sticks. Livingstone converted to put the Atoms 6-0 up.

From the restart, Heysham continued to dominate and again good hands pushed them close to the line but they couldn't get the next score.

The game was ebbing and flowing and this time it was the Atoms who were tested by onrushing Hindpool attackers. On the last tackle, the ball was put up high and out of play but the referee adjudged the ball had been taken out by an Atoms defender. From the resulting dropout, Hindpool took the ball to the right and from a quick play-the-ball, the dummy-half scooped in by the corner flag to take the score to 6-4.

The game continued to be close and with only 10 minutes remaining, the Hindpool centre tried to put a high ball up in the middle of the park.

The ball hit the side of his foot and spewed right into the hands of a team-mate who then fed his supporting winger who touched down in the corner.

This put the home side 8-6 up and although the Atoms threw everything at them, Hindpool held on and were over the moon when the final whistle blew - a bitter blow for the Atoms.

Coach Dave Crow said: "The Atoms are really coming together as a side and I had nothing but good words for them after their tremendous effort. they certainly deserved more than they got out of this game.

"We are still looking good in the league and I am sure no one will have an easy fixture against us, whether at home or away."

Atoms: Richardson, Winder, Livingstone, Holmes, Lacey, Tait, N Walker, Hartlebury, L.Hall, Marrin, Harvey, C Hall, Shaw, M Walker (capt), O Donnell, Ginnochio, Scanlon, Skelly.