Heysham Atoms 0 points

Vs

Orrell St James ( Wigan ) 42 points

North West Counties Division Three

The Heysham Atoms were unable to build on their home victory last week against bottom side Blackpool as their dreadful away form continued.  The Atoms faced perhaps the biggest pack in the league and found it difficult to stop their momentum when in full flight.  The Atoms never imposed themselves on the game in either discipline and it became a painful afternoon for the coaches as their side were well beaten in every facet of the game.  The Atoms knew the importance of starting well and when the ball was dropped on the third play of the game it looked as though it was going to be a long afternoon.  Basic errors like these just sap the confidence and it was almost a formality that Orrell would score on the back of this.  Three sets close to the Atoms line was enough to find a breech and put the Atoms behind their sticks looking for some inspiration.  This inspiration came in the form of one of the unsung heros of the team Rob Shaw.  He took the ball up strongly getting himself through onto the front foot without quite making the clean break, although he looked the most likely to make that happen.  Playing down the slope in the first half  it was important that the kicking game was up to scratch to put Orrell under pressure but a combination of mis-directed kicking and a less than enthusiastic chase always allowed Orrell to clear their lines easily.  A mini period of Atoms pressure saw Captain Mark Walker being held up over the line and when he limped out of the contest on the 20 minute mark that was virtually the end of the Atoms threat to Orrell. 

Mike Marrin at hooker tried to get his side moving forward but some painfully slow play the balls just nullified his attacking options.  The Atoms defence was being worked over big-time and not for some solid defending from Keith Hartlebury and new boy Ali lipock the Atoms could have found themselves further behind. Prop forward Dan Scanlon worked hard to take the ball up but the continuity of play was always halted by either an unforced error or a needless penalty that has blighted the Atoms this season.  As the Orrell forwards came more on top the speed of the plays increased and the Atoms line was crossed on three occasions before the half time break.

Half time Nil - 24 to Orrell.

Turning round and facing the ellements and the slope was a daunting proposition but at least their was a minor improvement in the Atoms play for the next 40 minutes.  The outside backs were virtually redundant as an attacking option in the first period and this was an area the Atoms tried to address.  Billy Livingstone at Full back began to see more of the ball and although space was at a premium on a tight pitch the intent to break the defensive line was at least there.  Shane Weed came on from the bench and got a couple of offloads away which allowed some second phase play.  Weed also came up with try saving tackle as Orrell's Scrum Half threatened the Atoms line using his big prop as a foil.  The Atoms were finding it difficult to clear their lines as they became trapped in the boggy left hand part of the pitch and a spate of penalties for high shots made sure that they were well and truly camped on their line.  The Atoms tried to play their way out of trouble and this high risk policy had mixed results.  Rob Shaw again looked most likely to break the shackles for his team as they desperatly tried to relieve the pressure.  The Atoms got some purchase down their right hand attack through Marrin's snipes to the blind side but were unable to sustain the pressure long enough to register any points.  Three second half tries, all converted, were conceded as the wigan outfit maintained their control on the game. On the day it was difficult to find too many positives to take out of the game but it is now about how the team responds to this adversity as Division 3 survival is far from a certainty and with a full squad to pick from, apart from Guy Richardson, players need to perform to keep their places.

Next Saturday is a massive game away to fellow strugglers Rochdale Mayfield ko 2.30pm  

Heysham Atoms: B.Livingstone, M.Pike, S.Lacey, A.lipock, J.Harrison, N.Walker, K.Hartlebury, D.Mcvernon, M.Marrin, D.Scanlon, R.Shaw, P.Livingstone, M.Walker ( Capt. ) Res: A.Helme, C.Hall, S.Weed, C.Helme