North West Counties Bowl Cup Competition

Heysham Atoms 18 points

vs

Pilkingtons 10 points

The Atoms have had to endure an enforced three week lay off mainly due to the weather but the rest seemed to have done them good with a comfortable victory in St Helens.  The scoreline would suggest a close game but the Atoms always looked in control possesing too much power especially in the forwards efficiently winning the middle ground.

It was a day dictated by the conditions and the whole team rolled there sleeves up and shared the workload admiably, across the park. The Atoms found themselves playing up the slope in the first period and sensibly compleated their sets choosing the direct route as their preferred tactic.  Sean Weed returned to the side after a lay off with a knee injury slotting into the problematic full back position.  Steve Graham also ruturned to Atoms colours after a two season absence taking up his position on the left wing with Dave Grice coming onto the bench. 

Pilkingtons have been notching some good league victories while the Atoms have laid dormant and it was them who opened the scoring with a sharply taken try down the right wing.  The Atoms lost in form prop Chris Helme with a knee injury as he was held up over the line being replaced by Liam Hall in the front row.  He was straight into the thick of the arm wrestle taking his side forward and over the gain line on numerous occasions. 

Mark Walker was constantly involved in the action and after going close on a number drives he finally forced his way over the try line from the dummy half position.  The wind was playing havoc with the goal kicking and the scores were drawn level at four all.  The impressive Sean Weed was seeing plenty of the ball bringing the ball back with with interest as Pilkingtons tried to gain some field position kicking into the corners.  These relieving runs did wonders for the teams morale giving them the confidence to have a real go at the St Helens outfit. 

Strong drives from Shaw and Shane Weed got the Atoms within 5 meters from Pilks line.  Mark Walker picked up at half back and flicked an inside pass to Liam Hall who is unstoppable from that range.  The conversion failed but the Atoms found themselves in front which was only a reflection of what their efforts deserved.  The Atoms stayed at the right end of the field with some good kicking from stand off Neil Walker, one of which nearly resulted in a try for winger Gavin Winder who pressurised his opposite number into a mistake after a great chase.

Half Time 8 .4 to Atoms

The Atoms were pleased with their efforts in the first period but knew they couldn't sit back and take things for granted.  Greame Lacey came on and made sure the dominance in the forwards was maintained with a terrific 25 mins spell.  He was nearly rewarded for his efforts forcing his way over the line only to be held up on his back.  Mike Marrin was lively around the ruck dictating play and picking up his runners in equal amounts. 

The classy centre combination of Stuart Lacey and Billy Livingstone were starved of any quality ball to use but what they did was to offer up there services at every oppertunity in both attack and defence which was vital to the team effort.  The Atoms forced a couple of goal line drop outs which was sapping the strength of Pilkinton defenders.  The new slimline Shane Weed was making good yards with his bumping style in collision always getting him through the first hit. 

Dave McVernon rolled back the years with a 40 yard bust using Mark Walker as a perfect foil sprinting over the line giving the Atoms a 12 . 4 cushion.  From this point on the Atoms performance became a bit scratchy and instead of the tactics that had got them this far they began to throw out some unnessasary passes.  The penalty count began to mount as Pilkingtons took advantage of the Atoms sloppiness.  Pilkingtons sniffed an unlikely victory as they went under the posts bringing the scores to within two points.  Pilks now had the momentum and the Atoms were tested in their defensive duties close to the line.  A dropped pass on the last tackle and some serious scrambling from the Atoms defenders prevented any more points for Pilkingtons. 

The pressure was relieved when centre Billy Livingstone intercepted a pass and outsprinted the cover on a 60 meter run to the line which he also converted.  The eight point gap proved enough as the Atoms go through to the next round of the Bowl Competition. 

Next Saturday - League vs Mossbank Bulldogs ( St Helens ) at Trimpell Ground 2pm KO - All Welcome

The First round of the National Cup on 6th December has thrown up the unlikely tie with the Atoms hosting their nearest geographical rivals Bamber Bridge from Division 4.  The reward for victory will be a daunting trip to NWC Premier side Bank Quay Bulls from Warrington.

Portrait Pools.com Men of the Match:
1. Sean Weed
2. Stuart Lacey
3. Michael Marrin

Heysham Atoms:Sean Weed, Gavin Winder, Stuart Lacey, Billy Livingstone, Ste Graham, Neil Walker, Andy Helme, Shane Weed, Mike Marrin, Chris Helme, Rob Shaw, Dan Scanlon, Mark Walker Res: Liam Hall, Dave Mcvernon, Greame Lacey, Dave Grice