October 3rd , 2009

Heysham Atoms 10

Vs

Folly Lane 26

Lancashire Cup

This competition has been notoriously difficult for the Heysham club in the past few seasons and this year was to prove no difference.  Division one side Folly Lane came to the Trimpell ground full of confidence bang in form on the back of a 60 point league victory against Latchford Albion. 

The Atoms made them fight all the way for their victory but ultimatly it was the poor completion rate that prevented them from causing a cup shock.  Not many games are won on 50 % completion and the sooner the Atoms learn this harsh lesson the better.

After an enforced 2 week lay off the Atoms opened up looking very rusty making 2 unforced errors in the first 3 possesions.  It was almost inevitable that gifting a quality side easy possesion at the right end of the field that they would take full advantage and this they did with relative ease scoring with a straight drive close to the right hand touch line giving Folly a 4 nil lead on 7 mins. 

The Atoms settled down and a 30 yard break from loose forward Mark Walker and some solid defending from Keith Hartlebury and Dan Scanlon raised the spirits.  Within fifteen minutes their endevours had brought their reward and a midfield break from centre Al Crookall got the Atoms rolling towards Folly's line.  Mark Walker slid into to acting half back position and backed himself on a short burst to the line.  He showed good determination to force himself over the white-wash.  Although the conversion failed the Atoms were right back in the contest and giving there opponents a real fright. 

Prop forward Liam Hall made a typical bullocking break down the middle of the park but took exception to an illegal challange.  The penalty went against the Atoms and they were forced onto their own line to defend once again.  It didnt take long for the line to be breeched for the second time after some less than convincing defence.  A change in the forwards brought a fresh approach and Josh O'Donnell revelled in the action on his return to the side.  With only minutes left on the clock till the break the Atoms had to defend against a scrum 10 yards from the line.  A training ground move undid the Atoms far too easily and the Swinton side went in at the break 14 points to 4 in the lead. 

The second period lacked the fluidity of the first with both sides finding it difficult to put back to back sets together.  The physical battle down the middle of the park continued as the Atoms compresssed their defensive line giving very few gaps in this area of the field. Marrin,Livingstone and Walker were heavily involved in the action and tried hard to enhance the Atoms cause.  This effort went unrewarded as Folly forced the issue with 2 well taken tries created by their impressive stand off.  At 26 . 4 Folly were in control of the scoreboard but weren't getting everything their own way on the pitch.  A period of sustained Atoms pressure brought its reward as Liam Hall smashed his way over the line with Billy Livingstone converting getting them into double figures.  Time ran out for an upset and the Atoms' chance for Lancashire cup glory was shelved for another 12 months.

Portrait Pools.com Men of the Match:
1. Michael Marrin
2. Mark Walker
3. Billy Livingstone

Heysham Atoms:C.Hall,S.Jackson,A.Crookall,S.Lacey,J.Harrison,N.Walker,B.livingstone,L.Hall,M.Marrin,D.Scanlon,R.Shaw,K.Hartlebury,M.Walker Res: J.O'Donnell,Shane Weed,Chris Helme,G.Winder