Match Report: SOUTHPORT STORM 22-52 HEYSHAM ATOMS

SOUTHPORT STORM 22-52 HEYSHAM ATOMS

There was a heavy down fall of rain during the warm up and first half of the game which meant the conditions were difficult to play in but both sides dealt with the weather well.

The opening exchanges were a good contest but two penalties in a row both foir offside gifted Heysham good field position and they took advantage of this and scored an early try.

A similar pattern continued as the Storm tackled bravely but allowed the Atoms to make ground easily and this resulted in further tries and the home side found themselves 22 nil down.

Southport were typically still determined and were awared a penalty after a high tackle on Rob Roberts which resulted in Heysham’s player being sent to the sin bin. Half backs Will Scott-Abbott and Ste McCann directed the side well and strong runs from Mick Winnard, Adam Stretch, Dave Oliver, Sam Collison and Jay McGregor gave the home side territory in Heysham’s half. Scott-Abbott passed to Jack Walker-Sanderson fourty metres from the try line and he beat five defenders to score a spectacular try in the corner.

This gave the Storm a lot of confidence and the backs came in to the middle of the pitch to look for work. Paul Fearon, Justin Priest, Rob Roberts, Ben Walton, Fane Murphy and James Mather all made strong runs forward for their team. Unfortunately Mather had to leave the field after he suffered a broken nose and had too much blood on him to be able to continue.

Southport kept battling and again earned good field position and were stopped a yard from the line under the posts. Southport had fiver attackers to the left with only two defenders so the Atoms defenders were rushing over to help their team mates thinking the ball would be passed to the left but Collison fooled everyone and crashed over to score himself under the posts. Dave Oliver added the conversion.

In the second half Heysham showed how well drilled they are and spread the ball to their backs a lot more and scored some impressive tries. The Storm continued to give their all and scored two second half tries, both converted by Oliver.

Heysham were impressive and deserved the win and despite the Storm having plenty to work on, a lot of positives can be taken from the game.

Southport Storm’s man of the match was Justin Priest.

Contact us with your community, business or sport news. Phone 07581350321 or 07930717137

Email ots@otsnews.co.uk

Twitter www.twitter.com/onthespot_new

Facebook www.facebook.com/otsnews.co.uk

Instagram www.instagram.com/otsnews