October 11, 2008

The Heysham Atoms took a while to get going in this important home league game but once they did they completely dominated thier opposition getting two vital league points and there season off and running in a positive manner.  The Atoms had to make five changes from the narrow defeat against Leigh miners a fortnight ago and this could have hampered them as the team took a while to gel together after a disjointed and scrappy first period.  After the break the attacks became more cohesive as more and more space was found against a tiring defence.

Rob Shaw was starting at loose forward for the first time in a number of seasons revelling in the freedom afforded by the position.  He consistantly got over the gain line winning the collision and pushing his team forward as the teams scrapped for early dominance and field position.  The completion rate was improving for the Atoms and although they looked a little predictable it was never the less effective.  The Atoms had the better of the field position early on but no clear cut chances had been created.  Billy Livingstone was finding his feet in the pivot role and using his runners intelligently bringing them back on the angles to check the sliding defence.  The Atoms lost Sean Weed to concussion on the 20 minute mark with Mike Holmes moving into the centre and Jake Harrison moving onto the wing.  The Atoms forced a goal line drop out and a chance to pressure the Saddleworth line.  Josh O'Donnell was starting for the first time this season and he made a telling drive from the kick.  The attack was moved to the left of the posts.  Captain for the day Mark Walker peeled away to the narrow side finding Liam Hall who barged through a couple of defenders and stetched out for the whitewash for the opening score of the contest.  The Atoms had showed good patience to this point but had obviously seen a weakness in Saddleworths right defence.  A sustained period of pressure in this area brought two scores before the break.  The lively Mike Holmes was in the thick of the action for both of them scoring the first with a searing burst of acceleration and then setting up Jake Harrison who had to pick the ball up off his boot laces before finishing in the left hand corner.  Billy Livingstone converted both to go in at the break at 14 nil up.

The talk at half time revolved around maintaining a solid defensive display and to try and expand their play further when in the right areas of the field.  Saddleworth were further hampered loosing their lively stand off after a heavy challenge close to the re-start.  This didnt detere the Oldham side too much as they scored within five minutes of the opening to the half.  The Atoms pack had the edge in pace around the edges and Callum Hall was having a fine afternoon with ball in hand taking on the opposition in these areas.  Hooker Mark Walker was feeding well off the back of these breaks hitting the retreating defenders as they attempted to get back on side.  Bryan Cambidge settled the early half nerves scoring from close to the line.  Coach Dave Crow introduced 16 year old Chris Thomas for his second appearence of the season, bringing him onto the left wing.  His start could not have been better scoring with his first touch after claiming Neil Walker's accurate bomb and touching down in the corner.  This was his second try in two outings and looks like another good prospect for the future.  Saddleworth showed that they just wouldn't be shaken off scoring there second try and giving notice to the Atoms that any lapses in concentration would be punished by points conceded.

The final quarter belonged solely to the Atoms scoring four unanswered tries which was reward for the hard graft put in in the previous 60 mins.  Bryan Cambidge bagged his second of the afternoon showing a great determination to get over the line.  The veteren centre was again involved giving a well timed pass to winger Jake Harrison who took his tally for the game to two finishing as a winger should sprinting down the touch line beating all the would-be tacklers.  A neat kick and chase by Mark Walker was fielded by the full back only for the ever alert Billy Livingstone to come and pick his pocket cheekily pinching the ball in a one on one tackle.  The biggest cheer of the day was saved till the last as Rob Shaw intercepted a pass just inside Saddleworth's half.  Dobbin galloped away to score under the posts with Livingstone adding his fifth conversion of the day.

Heysham Atoms: Richardson, Winder, Weed, Cambidge, Holmes, N.Walker, Livingstone, L.Hall, M.Walker, O'Donnell, C.Hall, Harvey, Shaw. Res : Pike, Thomas, Harrison, McVernon.

On Saturday 3 Atoms players reached milestones in their careers :

Billy Livingstone 50 games, Dave McVernon 250 games, and Bryan Cambidge 300 games.

Next Saturday: Atoms away in league to Parkside Goldbourne - kick off - 2.30.

46-10, you bloody ripper,

The Atoms have started great
In the year of 2008
first points and plenty of Myrth
against a side called Saddleworth

Cambo played his heart out
and with no shadow of a doubt
his 300th he did snatch
a deserved and well earned man of the match

The walks goes in to hook
Shaw and Harvey the ball they took
forward with some pace
and through the defence they did race

The backs defended well
and the forwards they will tell
of a slaughter at there home
In the graveyard with the stone!!!

Well done boys

Keep up the good work
SCOTT SADDLER

The first half was a bit dodgy
But their forwards tired they were podgy
Shaw was good at Thirteen
Making breaks like youve never seen

Walks kicking it was good
and billys nose went red with blood
Young Chris on the wing was a hero
Still not played where hes had a zero

Cambo's nose looked like it was broke
and with that thing its no joke
Josh came of with a bad shoulder
Dragging his belly like a massive boulder

But all in all it was good
and the pitch wasn't full of mud
But getting those two points is a must
As we dont want the Atoms going bust
DAVE CROW