KUKRI NORTH WEST COUNTIES DIVISION 3
HEYSHAM ATOMS 36 PTS
VS
ULVERSTON 22 PTS

The enforced two week layoff due to the adverse weather conditions didnt affect the Atoms too much gaining an excellent victory against an Ulverston side that had put 30 points past them earlier in the season.

The Atoms looked in confident mood and a fiesty opening to the game raised the tempreture as both sides were trying to stamp their authority on the game. With only 5 minutes on the clock tempers boiled over and a 26 man brawl ensued. Once order was restored the referee reduced both sides to 12 men for the remaining 75 mins of the contest. The Atoms didnt let this disruption detere them too much and they continued to bang out their sets.

On a heavier than normal Trimpell turf it was important to win the middle ground and the Atoms pack dominated this area with Mark Walker making the first clean break of the game. Great defensive work from Al Crookall and winger Gavin Winder forced a goal line drop out. The pressure on Ulverstons line was immense and Mike Marrin found the perfect pass to unlock the defense finding Mark Walker who brushed aside a couple of would-be defenders to open up the Atoms account with a converted try.

Mark Walker nearly made it a brace making another break but injured himself in trying to twist his way to the line. He played no further part in the game and was replaced by his able deputy Keith Hartlebury. Al Crookall was picking some excellent direct lines of running and he notched up his 4th try of the season with one such strong run giving the Atoms a comfortable 10 nil lead.

The Atoms perhaps just relaxed at this point allowing Ulverston to mount some attacks favouring thier right centre/wing combination. Persistance paid off for Ulverston and a try was scored close to the right hand corner flag. The unstoppable Atoms pack gave an armchair ride to their pivots - Stuat Lacey and Billy Livingstone - allowing them to dominate play with some excellent passing options and kicking game to keep the stranglehold on the Ulverston line. Liam Hall crashed over from short range closely followed by a carbon copy try taking his tally to 14 tries for the season and the Atoms into a commanding 20 points to 4 half time lead.

The impact from the bench is always important and Martin Pike provided the impetous for the Heysham side. Keith Hartlebury and Al Crookall worked an opening down the blind side only for the move to fizzle out as a crossing decision halted play. Ulverston took full advantage of this giftrd possesion scoring again wide on the right. Stuart Lacey restored the 16 point lead dummying his way over the line getting close to posts giving Billy Livingstone an easy 2 points in the exstras column.

The Atoms were reduced to 11 men as Liam Hall was adjudged to have made a late challenge opening up the gaps further sretching the Atoms defence to the full. For the second time Ulverston took advantge of their good fortune cashing in with 2 converted tries bringing the scores periliously close at 26 - 22 with 15 mins left on the clock.

Craig Dixon returned from the bench to steady the ship taking his captains reponsibilty to the full. His players responded to his hard work and were able to get to the right end of the field again. Billy Livingstone increased the lead with a trade mark show and go try and his hallf back partner Stuart Lacey wasnt to be outdone compleating the scoring with his second try of a very productive afternoon.

Liam Hall ran the clock down with a couple of close drives bringing to a close an excellent victory that moves them up to fifth place in the table.


Next Sat league game vs Higginshaw ( Oldham ) away kick off 2pm

Portrait Pools.com Men of the Match:
1. Craig Dixon
2. Billy Livingstone
3. Jake Harrison

Heysham Atoms:J HARRISON, G HELLIWELL, D ALE, A CROOKALL, G YIDDO, S LACEY, B LIVINGSTONE, L HALL, M MARRIN, D McVERNON, C DIXON, D GINOCCHIO, M WALKER, A HELME, N WALKER, M PIKE, K HARTLEBURY