September12th, 2009

Hindpool Tigers 34

Vs

Heysham Atoms 12

Kukri North West Counties Amateur Rugby League

Division 3

The Atoms made a dissapointing start to therir league campaign losing to their fierce rivals from Barrow. The Atoms contributed significantly to their own downfall with some elimentary mistakes that have become an all too familiar trend in their play. Ultimatly these basic errors cost the side dear and any chance of coming away with 2 pts.

Having picked up 3 injuries to the forwards in the pre season friendlies and Mark Walker and Mike Marrin still on holiday the pack had to be beefed up by Sean Weed and Stuart Lacey. Al Crookall and Greame Lacey made their league debuts and Steven Jackson returned to the side after a 3 season absence.

The opening exchanges as expected were rugged and physical as both sides tried to lay down a marker and kick start their season into action. The Atoms compleated well but a 'skinny' 10 meters gap employed by the referee meant space was at a premium and defences well on top. Hindpool's tactics of offloading the ball in the tackle at every oppertunity was causing the Atoms defenders some serious problems. The Barrow side got on the score sheet first and this advantage was never relinquished. Slack marker play allowed Hindpool's livewire hooker to 'scoot' away from the acting half back position and score under the posts. A second soft try was conceeeded shortly after as the Atoms again found themselves looking at each other behind the sticks.

Territorily the Atoms were able to get to the right end of the field but overplaying of the power tactic meant the pressure was relieved far too easily. Loose Forward Sean Weed was the stand out player for the Atoms showing a fantastic appetite to get the ball in his hands and drive his team forward. Two drives in every set was the norm for the ex- Saints man looking at times that he was taking on Hindpool single-handedly. It was he who made the decisive cut out pass that finally opened up Hindpool's defence allowing winger Jake Harrison to cut inside and score his first try of the season.

Ben Dorrington was safe and sure at full back making some telling yards out of defence but it was his cover tackling that really caught the eye saving the Atoms on a couple of occassions. Unfortunatly this was a short rest-bite as Hindpool scored their third converted try just before the break.

Half Time 18 - 6 to Hindpool.

The Atoms started the second half in dredful fashion kicking the ball out on the full from the re-start. This particular error seemed to be catching as the Atoms repeated itn on a further 4 times during the second half gifting possesion back to the opposition. Finally the Atoms found some sustained form and were able to engineer 2 badck to back sets at the right end of the field. The pressure told and Liam Hall stretched out over the try line to bring the Atoms back into the contest at 18 - 12. Billy Livingstone added the extras for the second time which boosted his confidence taking the line on and making a couple of clean breaks. Stuart Lacey's work rate in defence was impressive making numerous one on one tackles that felled his man. Chris Helme and Greame Lacey also performed admirably in their spells in the second half but the side as a whole faded badly in the final quarter as Hindpool dominated. In this period Hindpool scored 3 unanswered tries - one from a 60 yard intercepted pass - which took Hindpool away from the Atoms securing the 2 vital league points.
The Atoms need to lift themselves up very quickly from this deflating defeat as sterner tests lie just around the corner. Langworthy Reds (Salford) visit the Trimpell next Saturday and it will be hoped some of their big guns will be availiable and firing as the Atoms search for thier first league points of the season.

Next Sat vs Langworthy Reds at Trimpell 2-30 kick off all welcome Lancshire Cup first round Folly Lane (Swinton) first weekend in October.

Portrait Pools.com Men of the Match:
Sean Weed
Billy Livingstone
Ben Dorrington

Heysham Atoms: Dorrington, Winder, Holmes, Crookall, Harrison, N.Walker, Livingstone, Hall, A.Helme, McVernon, S.Lacey, R.Shaw, Sean Weed, Res : Shane Weed, Jackson, G.Lacey, C.Helme.