North West Counties Division 3

Heysham Atoms 4 points

vs

Irlams Hornets 40 points

The Heysham Atoms opening day fixture of the 2010/2011 season got off to a less than impressive start loosing by a convincing margin at home to the newly promoted and confident Irlam Hornets from Salford. The Atoms were lacking key personnel due to players leaving the club and unavailability that forced The Atoms into naming a less than experienced line up especially in the three quarters. The first half was a tight affair but was littered with uncharacteristic errors. Once the visitors had got into their stride it was always going to be an up hill battle as The Atoms tired dramatically in the second period.

The Atoms pack more than held its own through the 80 minutes with the tirless captain Mark Walker and new  Cumbrian recruit Craig Dixon showing up well. Billy Livingstone almost created a try for his brother Anthony out on the right wing with a deft kick that almost brought a score. Liam Hall also went close for the dangerous looking Irlam backline created a score that was converted giving them a 6 nil lead.

Mark Walker got The Atoms first score of the game going on an arching run through the backs then out muscling Irlams fullback to touch down over the line. Irlam completed the scoring just before the break with a penalty kick in front of the posts giving them a half time lead of 8 points to 4.

The next 40 minutes was very dissapointing for The Atoms conceding 32 points as passes were dropped, tackles missed and balls allowed to hit the ground and bounce into the grateful hands of the Irlam attackers. Callum Halls introduction at the break and Dave McVernons increased involvement showed that The Atoms still had a bit of fight in them.

Irlam trys were scored at regular periods throughout the half until Callum Hall forced his way over the line with 3 defenders on his back scoring wide out on the right. The Atoms were able to get to the right end of the field but werent able to stay there for any period of time due to a poor option or a lack of patience. The final score of the game for Irlam summed up The Atoms afternoon as a harmless looking chip and chase resulting in another try and taking the Salford outfit to 40 points.

Next Saturday league versus Ulverston away kick off 230pm  

Portrait Pools.com Men of the Match:
1. Mark Walker
2. Stuart Lacey
3. Craig Dixon

Heysham Atoms:Harrison, Pike, McVernon, Jackson, A Livingstone, S Lacey, B Livingstone, Weed, Marin, L Hall, Dixon, G Lacey, Walker, Shaw, C Hall, Cambidge, Helme