December 12th , 2009

North West Counties Division 3

Heysham Atoms 20 points

vs

Langworthy Reds 20 points

The Atoms trip to Salford turned out to be more tricky than expected.  The improving Langworthy side have averaged less than 8 points a game so far this season but they certainly were able to motivate themselves for this one showing great resilliance as the Atoms dominated possesion and territory but found themselves chasing the game right down to the wire.  The Atoms had to travel without four of their first choice pack with Mark Walker, Mike Marrin, Liam Hall and Rob Shaw all unavailiable.  This gave chances to other players to cement their place in the team with Al Crookall catching the eye as he moved nearer to the action taking up the vacant second row birth from his usual position of centre.  He formed a promising partnership with the most dangerous forward on the field - Keith Hartlebury who was at his bullish best in both attack and defence.  Co-Captain Neil Walker was the man to rescue a point for the Atoms as the game finished in dramatic fashion.  The Atoms were trailing by 6 points with 3 minutes left on the clock when winger Gavin Winder darted over the line into the right hand corner.  Walker took over the kicking from Livingstone and cooly slotted the ball between the uprights from the touchline to bring the scores level which in the end was a relief for the Atoms.

Playing down the slope and having a low sun glaring at their backs the instructions were simple from the sidelines - 'look after possesion and make your tackles'.  At times they did this very well but at other times poor ball security blighted the Atoms progress.  The first score of the game was testament to this as great forward work, from the Weed brothers in particular, took play deep into the 20 metre area of Langworthy.  The ball was put through a number of hands on the next play but it was all too lateral.  The pass was spilled and Langworhtys winger picked up the loose ball and sprinted a full 80 metres to take the first six points.

The Atoms hit back shortly after after a good kick and chase pressurised Langwothy into a error.  From the scrum influential loose forward Sean Weed picked up at the base and simply danced his way through the cover for a Livingstone converted try.  The Atoms maintained the pressure with winger Jake Harrison and hooker Andy Helme both going close.  Hartlebury showed how it should be done showing good strength and determination to get over the line and give the Atoms a 10.6 half time lead

The Atoms were forced to re-shuffel with lively full back Callum Hall leaving the field with a badly gashed knee.  Mike Holmes in his 150th game slotted in at full back with Brett making his debut in the right centre position.  The Atoms seemed to win the middle ground but all too often an error would halt their momentum.  Billy Livingstone and Stuart Lacey were looking sharp but the service was all too intermitant.  This lack of composure came to haunt the Atoms as Langworthys hooker dived over the line unopposed from 5 yards out.  There was no panic in the Atoms ranks but a feeling that they must apply themselves better if they were to get anything out of this contest.  Unfortunatly the Atoms did not heed this warning as Langworthy posted their third try of the contest and took a six point lead.  The Atoms got back within 2 points on the 65 minute mark when Neil Walker intercepted a pass on the left wing.  He found Sean Weed with a long inside pass who then linked with the three-quarters and Brett finished in style - something he had been threatening to do all half.  At 16.14 down the Atoms again had the acendancy but couldnt finish.  Hartlebury and Livingstone went within a hairs bredth of regaining the lead before another interception did for the Atoms.  Jake Harrison made a crucial covering tackle but couldnt prevent the next wave of eager Langworthy supporting players creating the try in the left corner - which gave them a six point lead once again.

A reponse was asked for and got by the Atoms senior players as they stared defeat in the face.  A short kick off was won by Stuart Lacey but the move broke down as they attacked to their favoured right hand side.  From Langworthys put in at the scrum the Atoms won back possesion and the charge was on to the Langworthy line.  Two or three drives drew in the cover before neat hands got winger Winder with a sniff of the line.  Wingers need to finish and thats exactly what he did giving Walker a difficult kick to get something out of the game.  The extras were taken giving the Atoms a second draw on their travels this season.

Next Saturday: Vs Spring View ( Wigan ) at Trimpell Ground Kick Off 2pm All Welcome.

Portrait Pools.com Men of the Match:Sean Weed, Billy Livingstone, Stuart Lacey

Heysham Atoms: Hall, Winder, S.Lacey, Holmes, Harrison, Walker, Livingstone, Shane Weed, Helme, Scanlon,, Crookall Hartlebury, Sean Weed Res: McVernon, G.Lacey, Jackson, Brett.