Kukri North West Counties Amateur Rugby League

Dalton 37

Vs

Heysham Atoms 16

With four points at stake, the Atoms made the short trip to Dalton aware that victory could propel the Atoms into a top 6 league position, but conversely defeat could see them barely above the relegation dogfight.

With snow still lying on the Cumbrian fells, but with a feel of summer in the air, the Atoms kicked off up the field in conditions perfectly suited for a fast, open game.  The pre-game talk mentioned the importance of keeping penalties to a minimum but sadly a penalty was conceded within the first minute with a high tackle on the Dalton hooker.  The Atoms were let off the hook with Dalton also showing indiscipline gifting the Atoms good field position from which to launch an early attack.  A spilt ball returned the possession to the home team who took advantage of the broken play to break the Atoms’ line and race downfield to score in the corner, 4-0.

The kick off took play deep into Dalton territory and the Atoms’ defensive line made good yards downfield, led by the highly decorated Atoms’ winger Gavin Halliwell with a shuddering tackle on his opposite number. Dalton progressed down field making too many easy yards before putting the ball through the hands to score their second try out on the left flank.

At 10-nil down in as many minutes the Atoms were in need of some inspiration and it came from in-form stand-off Billy Livingstone.  A good defensive set  saw the Atoms take possession on the half way line and penetrating runs from props Shane Weed and Chris Helme set up a great attacking position 20 yards out from the Dalton Line.   Neil Walker passed to captain Billy Livingstone who orchestrated a backs move, but feigned the pass to younger brother Anthony in a classic ‘show and go’ move to slide through the Dalton line and touchdown emphatically on the whitewash under pressure from the scrambling Dalton defence.  After converting his own try, it was game on and Coach Dave Crow made three tactical changes to the team to bring fresh legs into the forwards.

The Dalton team kicked off but kicked out on the full, and the resulting penalty saw Atoms in a position to launch another raid on the rapidly wilting Dalton line.  Liam Hall made an immediate impact from the bench after taking a clever inside ball from Neil Walker to crash over and put the Atoms in a commanding position.  Livingstone again converted and made the score 12-10 to the Atoms.

The next set saw Tom Crookall taking the ball up strongly and Daniel Ginnochio doing more than his fair share of work. Substitute Joe Crookall looked dangerous running at first receiver, and  Martin Pike came infield to relieve the pressure on the forwards, and paid the price taking a heavy tackle. Ultimately though the set proved fruitless.   Dalton fought back into the game and after a solid set downfield they worked the ball through the hands and found their pacy centre in space who rounded the Atoms’ centre to touchdown with another try outwide for Dalton.  Dalton finalised the first half scoring with a crossfield kick which the Atoms failed to deal with resulting in a further try down the right flank.  The half time score of 22-12 was a fair reflection of the teams, but the Atoms could have considered themselves lucky that Dalton had not converted many of their trys.

After the break the Atoms started well, knowing how crucial it was to score next to put themselves back into the game.  Good work from the veteran Andy Helme at Hooker saw the Atoms make good yards down field.  Mark Walker was as ever keen to take the ball up and did so strongly with Dalton struggling to contain his threat.  A backs move through Al Crookall and out to Jake Harrison looked dangerous, with good yards being gained. A completed set from the Atoms looked like the Atoms were following their game plan, but Dalton’s first set of the second half resulted in the centre breaking the Atoms line, heartbreakingly on the last tackle, to move even further out of sight. 22-12.

The Atoms ‘discipline then let them down with a number of penalties gifting Dalton a further 4 points and thus eliminating their slim chances of a comeback.  Chris Helme put in an inspirational hit on the Dalton prop forward, and Callum Hall made a try saving tackle at fullback, but it was all sadly in vain as a few plays later Dalton were scoring once again after a kick over the top and a lucky bounce later enabled the Dalton centre to complete his hat trick.

The Atoms were now chasing the game and from the kick off they did manage to get the ball back through a well-rehearsed set play.  Stuart Lacey took the ball up strongly and Liam Hall completed his brace, powering over for his second try.

The Atom enjoyed a final flourish of possession and looked likely to score again as the clock counted down, but fittingly the last score of the game was from Dalton who slotted over a drop goal to bring the game to a close.

Next Game: Ulverston (away) Tuesday 13th April, 6PM KO. The Atoms return to south Cumbria to visit one of the oldest clubs in the sport, 140 year old Ulverston RLFC at Pain Lane, Ulverston.

Heysham Atoms: 1. Callum Hall, 2. Jake Harrison, 3. Anthony Livingstone, 4. Al Crookall, 5. Gavin Halliwell, 6. Billy Livingstone, 7. Neil Walker,  8. Shane Weed,  9. Andrew Helme, 10. Chris Helme, 11. Daniel Ginnochio, 12. Martin Pike, 13. Mark Walker.  Res: 14. Liam Hall, 15. Tom Crookall, 16. Joe Crookall, 17. Stuart Lacey

Portrait Pools Men of the Match:
1 Billy Livingstone
2 Mark Walker
3 Liam Hall