March 13th, 2010

Kukri North West Counties Division 3

Heysham Atoms 24 points

versus

Saddleworth 32 points

The sunshine bus rolled into Oldham in confident mood having only lost once since the Christmas break but two late cry offs due to illness in the camp caused a major reshuffle especially in the pack.  Martin Pike and Daniel Ginnochio came onto the bench for their first outings of the season and both will benefit from the game time and the running in their legs.  A poor opening to the game ultimatly cost the Atoms perhaps trying to play too much rugby too soon before the middle ground had been won.  The Atoms did gain the superiority in this area but it wasnt before they were trailing by 16 points to nil after only 15 minutes played. 

An aggressive opening defensive set from the Atoms kick off looked like the Heysham side were well up for this and a gang tackle on the third forced Saddleworths second row over the sidelines and a turn over for the Atoms.  This enthusiasm was short lived and 1 pass too many went to ground surrendering possesion back to the Oldham side.  The turn over was decisive and a strong direct run from the centre brought the opening score.  Two more Heysham handling errors were punished in the strongest way as their left hand defence was opened up with a series of neat passing moves.

The Atoms realised now that must start respecting possesion or it was going to be a long afternoon and it was vitally important that the pivots took control and simplified the areas of attack.  Not for the first time Steven Jackson was working his socks off in defence making effective tackles all across the park which lifted the spirits of the Atoms players.  The Atoms laid siege on Saddleworths line for the first time in the game and showed the patience that was sadly lacking earlier in the match.  Shane Weed was held up short and a Billy Livingstone nearly scored on a fifth tackle power play.  The Atoms kept their heads and after a second goal line drop out a score was almost inevitable.  A play out to the left to strong running centre Stuart Lacey took the Atoms within touching distance of the line and hooker Mike Marrin burrowed his way over the line, between 2 defenders showing good strength, converted by Livingstone.

The impact from the bench came in the form of Rob Shaw and Dan Ginnochio as inform second rower Al Crookall had to retire with a side injury taking no further part in proceedings.  Slack play at marker gifted Saddleworth their fourth try of the game which was against the run of play but gave Saddleworth a 20 point to 6 lead at the break.

The Atoms coaching staff re-affirmed the game plan at the interval wanting a positive reaction from their players and they got it within 2 minutes of the re-start.  An attack down the Atoms right got Rob Shaw into space.  The Saddleworth defenders couldnt wrestle him to the ground and he was able to slip the ball out of the tackle to the supporting Dan Ginnochio who showed great determination to reach the whitewash.  The Atoms continued their good start to the second half and four controlled drives took the Heysham side within striking range of Saddleworths line. Loose forward Mark Walker had looked dangerous all game and he took a short pass from brother Neil bursting through two defenders for a converted try. A double sin binning - one from either side - leveled up the numbers but made the spaces more difficult to defend. Impressive Mark Walker took his second oppertunity breaking through a number of tackles leaving tacklers in his wake as he gave his side a 24 - 20 lead with a converted try with 18 mins left to play .

A special mention must go to full back Sean Weed whose work rate with ball in hand was outstanding and veteran scrum half Andy Helme who guided his side around the park with some real direction. Winger Gavin Winder and centre Stuart Lacey both went close in the left hand corner but this pressure could not be turned into points. The momentum switched in Saddleworths favour and a strong drive by their enormous prop forward drew 4 defenders to him he slipped the ball out of the tackle and the supporting player forced his way over the line for a try converted and giving Saddleworth a slender 2 point lead entering the final 15 mins of the game. The Atoms threw everything into attack but just couldnt find that all elusive opening that would have given them victory. As the game drew to a close Saddleworth put up a towering bomb that was fumbled by an Atoms defender and cruely for the Heysham side a Saddleworth player was on hand to put downward pressure on the ball giving them a 32-24 victory with the last play of the game.

Portrait Pools.com Men of the Match:
1 Mark walker 2 Sean Weed 3 Andy Helme

Heysham Atoms:Sean Weed, Gavin Winder, Stuart Lacey, Billy Livingstone, Jake Harrison, Neil Walker, Andy Helme, Chris Helme, Mike Marrin, Shane Weed, Al Crookall, Steven Jackson, Mark Walker, Martin Pike, Daniel Ginnochio, James Hamilton, Rob Shaw