Heysham Atoms 22
Leigh Miners Rangers 32

After a delayed start Atoms suffered two knock-ons on the first two possessions.

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Teams like Leigh very rarely miss oppertunities given to them on a plate and the Miners posted a try within three minutes of the start.
Following a brief Atoms move the following 10 minutes were as scrappy as the first as both sides found it difficult to settle down into their pattern of play.
Valuable play with a tackle by Daniel Ginnoccio and Guy Richardson bringing the ball away from his own line drawing a penalty gave Atoms some impetus. close to the half way line.
This was used well and Bryan Cambidge peeled away off to find Richardson for a score.
Stand-off Walker attempted a drop goal as the half came to a close but it was the Miners who broke the deadlock right on the bell of half time. A chip and chase on the last was hacked forward by Leigh's centre before the scrum half completed the footballing skills outstripping the Atoms cover and giving his side a 10 point to 6 lead at the break.
Another Atoms youngster came on at the break in the form of second rower Jamie Harper. He gave a good account of himself putting in a few trademark tackles and fitting in well with the lively Callum Hall. Mike Holmes came off his wing looking for the ball and making some neat breaks with his impressive acceleration. Four good solid drives lead by Liam Hall got the atoms within touching distance of the line.
After a score from captain for the day Mark Walker Atoms continued the attacks as the completion rate increased.
A penalty gave Atoms the chance to go ahead. Keith Hartlebury picked the ball up off his boot laces passed it to Guy Richardson for a try.
The euphoria of taking the lead was short lived as the Miners scrum half broke clear at half way and out paced the cover to bring the scores level for the third time at 16 all.
Miners then took advantage of a penalty to scoring their fourth of the contest.
But Atoms came back with a towering bomb from Walker. Richardson showed the most determination to rise the highest and claim the ball over the line placing it between the sticks for a fantastic hat trick of tries.
This is from where the Atoms should have kicked on but it was Miners who showed the most desire to go and win the points.
Atoms: Richardson, Holmes, Cambidge, B.Livingstone, Winder, N.Walker, Hartlebury, L.Hall, M.Marrin, Shaw, C.Hall, L.Harvey, M.Walker, Res: McIntyre, Harper, McVernon, Ginnoccio.