November 1st , 2008

The Atoms went into this fixture with a spring in their tails after last week's 'nilling' of Haresfinch. The conditions were great; the squad was strong and the Atoms had the knowledge their opponents averaged only 10 points in attack per game. The whiff of the first away victory of the season was in the air.

A narrow pitch dictated the initial tactics and team manager Pete Livingstone left the team with clear instructions to muscle up in defence and play simple rugby down the middle in the opening exchanges.

It soon became clear the Blackpool forwards were not in the same league as the Atoms' leaner, faster and more agile pack. Good work from Harvey and Callum Hall set up excellent field position for Liam Hall to bounce off the Blackpool defenders and cross the whitewash for a classic forwards try with just 2 minutes on the clock. Billy Livingstone added the extras.

6-nil to the Atoms and most players were yet to touch the ball or even break sweat, the mood was now set for the opening quarter.

Blackpool returned to the starting positions and once again kicked off to the Atoms. Marrin fielded the ball and found Harvey running from deep who brought the ball back up to the defensive line at pace. Atoms' captain Mark Walker then launched a blind side attack and once again the Atoms found themselves within striking distance of the Blackpool line. Further work by Liam Hall set up the backs up for a set piece move. Hooker Marrin was busy around the play the balls and linked well with halves Neil Walker and Billy Livingstone who orchestrated a sweeping cross field movement. Scanlon and Weed in the centres exerted more pressure on the Blackpool line. Desperate scrambling defence from Blackpool saved the day for the home team while they clung on to receive their first taste of possession of the football.

The intensity of Blackpool's first drives against the Atoms forwards had already been reduced by their opening defensive efforts and it was clear that Blackpool didn't have the power to make much progress against the Atoms' defensive line. The compressed Atoms defence was characterised by debutant Stuart Lacey whose punishing tackling repeatedly drove the Blackpool attack backwards.

Blackpool completed their first 'set of six' and gained good yards with the kick downfield. In-form winger Winder fielded the kick and returned the ball to the defensive line strongly, beating the first man and giving the Atoms a good starting position for the next set. Opposite winger Pike was brought into the action too making good yards around the ruck. The set ended with good field position being gained ensuring Blackpool brought the ball out from their own line.

Some dubious passing from Blackpool saw the ball spilled on the half way line. An opportunity not to be missed, and the Atoms fought the way upfield with Shaw leading the way with a 20 yard break. Work from Liam Hall and Weed continued the relentless pressure on the Blackpool line, which eventually yielded a try for hard working hooker Marrin to dive over from close range. Once again Livingstone found form with the boot and made it 12-nil to the Atoms.

Further sets were exchanged by the teams with Blackpool rarely making it out of their own half. Territorial kicks were constantly fielded by the elusive Richardson at full back, whose skill under the high ball and elusive running continually stopped the Atoms getting into tricky situations near their own line. Further damaging breaks by Mark Walker and Shaw ensured the game was played mainly in the Blackpool half of the field.

A delicate injury in the tackle led to Callum Hall having a brief spell on the sidelines, with Scanlon entering the field of play. With everything going to plan coach Livingstone rotated the forwards. McVernon and Hesketh replaced Harvey and Liam Hall whilst Callum Hall returned to replace Shaw.

The fresh legs made an immediate impact with Hesketh taking the ball up with a ferocity that belies his youthful years. McVernon continued his return to form with one of his trademark powerful runs.

Blackpool's return set again failed to make much progress with the error being forced from them by Hesketh who bundled the Blackpool winger into touch.

Promising field position from the scrum found the Atoms attacking the Blackpool line once again. McVernon took the ball up and his presence necessitated five Blackpool defenders to halt his progress. A stretched defence was tested to the full with the pivots Marrin, Livingstone and Walker directing attacking play down right hand side. With the try line beckoning only a desperate intercepting knock on stopped a further Atoms score.

The Blackpool drop out gave the Atoms another chance to attack the Blackpool line. With confidence brimming, the Atoms returned the ball with zest. However, this time the Atoms' efforts were thwarted by a forward pass on the last tackle.

The Blackpool possession resulted in steady progress to the halfway line. A penalty for a high tackle would have brought Blackpool within rare sight of the Atoms line, but for the inexcusable error of not finding touch with the kick. Winder and Weed had dropped back to cover, Weed caught the ball on the full and brought play back to the half way line for the Atoms.

Blackpool , benefitting from an increased share of possession started to gain in confidence and after fielding an Atoms bomb on the full in their own in-goal. The Atoms paid the price for not challenging for the kick and Blackpool quickly brought the ball downfield. A penalty piggybacked the home team further downfield before once again the play was forced into touch by the Atoms. The resulting scrum saw Lacey make good yards. Callum Hall continued the work towards the Blackpool line. The Atoms pressure yielded a drop out from Blackpool . McVernon brought the ball up strongly, setting up Mark Walker for what turned out to be the final try for the Atoms. The unsuccessful conversion attempt left the score at 16-nil.

The coach and captain made it clear what was required in the second half: fewer penalties and the aim of keeping the Atoms' line intact. With a commanding lead and the slope now in their favour, there was an expectation that the Atoms would now turn the screw on their opponents. Shaw, Harvey and Liam Hall returned to the fray.

Unfortunately for the Atoms, Blackpool failed to read the script. A perceived injustice from the referee fired the Blackpool forwards up and inspired them to play like a team possessed. Blackpool started running with increased confidence and aggression which the Atoms struggled to contain.

Good defensive work by Weed and Callum Hall was undone by lapses in concentration. The previously fluent Atoms were now being forced into making errors of judgement. Penalties for stealing the ball and knock-ons presented Blackpool with scoring opportunities in the Atoms half.

Winder defused some of the pressure collecting the Blackpool kick on the full. A steadying set of plays ended with Neil Walker completing the Atoms scoring with a sublime drop goal giving the Atoms a repeat set of six when they needed it most.

The Blackpool players, encouraged by the enthusiastic home support continued with their 'close to the line' tackling. It seemed only a matter of time before things would boil over. The Blackpool loose forward pushed the referee past his limit and earned a 10-minute spell in the sin-bin after for a late tackle.

The game ended with the Atoms' line finally being breached after 150 minutes of rugby with a consolation try for Blackpool after the Atoms' centre Lacey was penalised for running with a raised elbow.

The Atoms are at home to Dalton on Saturday, 2.00PM at Trimpell, all welcome. The club would like to extend a warm welcome to Mathew Tait from Australia , an experienced second rower who (subject to selection) is in line for his debut.

Men of the Match: 1 Rob Shaw 2 Callum Hall 3 Guy Richardson

The big fella was back and running well
With the cork on his thigh there was no more swell
He crossed the line again and gave the Atoms four
These types of tries Liam we'd like to see more

The teacher is back to his brilliant best
And making the boys proud to wear the crest
Man of the match and your points are on the move
Keep playing well Mr Shaw and stay in the groove

The new second rower called Callum Hall
He amazes people around him at running the ball
Pound for pound Hall's is a hard nut to crack
When the going gets tough he will take up the slack

Marrin had the Blackpool forwards in a spin
The battle with his opposite number he did win
He was mentioned regularly in the local dispatches
In future the opposition will need to batten down the hatches

It sounds like Gripper has gone back to the base of the scrum
His defence in this area is as tight as a drum
Run hard and fast at the line a hole you must slice
Get to the other side Gripper no matter the price.

Mcvernon his name but most call him Macca
Gives his all for the side but can be a slacker
His dangerous on the run when you give him the ball
In Blackpool on Saturday his defence was a wall

Our fullback is classy everyone will attest
Match him up with the others and he comes out the best
Under pressure takes the high ball with the greatest of ease
When he runs through a hole you can only feel the breeze

Livvy had the plan and the game they did snatch
A win away for a manager is good for any match
The centres of Weed and Billy apparently had a blinder
But were simply outclassed by the winger called Winder

16-0 and all the players thought the game was done
Except for Blackpool they were out for some fun
When the oppositions down boys don't let them come back
Scoring 1 point to 6 in the second half was slack

150 minutes without anyone crossing your line
The defence throughout the last 2 weeks can be considered real fine
It's the sides above you will need to shut down.
Then you can hold your head high when you walk round the town.

There are rumours around the streets there's a new kid on the block
His father was a Aussie legend so his breed from great stock
He won't let you down lads he'll try hard and do his best
Tell him the history of the club so he is proud of the crest.

It's Dalton next week and this game you must stand tall
Last years flogging at Dalton made us feel very small
Defence and attack be strong Lads put them under the pump
You must start the game well boys so go from the jump.


GO THE ATOMS
Scott Saddler