Thornhill Trojans 52-22 Heysham Atoms

A youthful Heysham Atoms side bowed out of the BARLA National Cup at the second round stage with defeat at National Conference side Thornhill Trojans.
Matty Humpage scores for the Heysham Atoms against Thornhill Trojans. Picture: Rob ShawMatty Humpage scores for the Heysham Atoms against Thornhill Trojans. Picture: Rob Shaw
Matty Humpage scores for the Heysham Atoms against Thornhill Trojans. Picture: Rob Shaw

The Dewsbury side boasted an unbeaten pre-season record and after a promising first 40 minutes the Atoms were overrun by their more experienced opponents.

Captain Liam Hall set the standard for his team to follow as he capitalised on an error from the kick-off to smash his way over from close range.

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Forwards Al Crookall, Jason Short and Mark Walker all started brightly allowing Ollie Murray the room to make a rampaging run down the left-centre channel.

Thornhill Trojans v Heysham Atoms. Picture:v Rob Shaw Dan Ginnochio and Ollie Murray combine in defenceThornhill Trojans v Heysham Atoms. Picture:v Rob Shaw Dan Ginnochio and Ollie Murray combine in defence
Thornhill Trojans v Heysham Atoms. Picture:v Rob Shaw Dan Ginnochio and Ollie Murray combine in defence

Winger Matty Short went close following a deep kick and Matty Humpage was held up over the line.

Michael Forrest was also denied close to the line and these missed opportunities would come back to haunt the Atoms.

Thornhill became more dominant as the half wore on and two tries were scored to give the Yorkshire side a 12-6 half-time lead.

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The start of the second half saw the Atoms defence disintegrate under some real pressure from Thornhill and the gap that was opened up was never to be bridged by the Atoms.

Jamie Cottle scored from a Mark Walker pass and Billy Livingstone added a goal for the second time.

Humpage then reached through three defenders to just reach the try line for a score sandwiched between two more Thornhill tries before Michael Forrest set off on a 100-metre dash down the left touchline only to be brought back for a foot in touch.

The Atoms last try was the pick of the bunch as they attacked from deep firstly through centre Dan Ginocchio.

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Some skillful inter-passing between Walker and Cottle got Humpage away in the middle of the park and he made a well-timed pass to Jack Edmondson who outsprinted the cover to score an outstanding try.

Thornhill crossed the 50-point mark with a disappointing Atoms error on the last play of the game.

l The Atoms now know their fixtures for their first ever Premier League season.

Heysham will lock horns with some old adversaries with Hindley, Rylands and Shevington providing tough opposition.

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Atoms Coach Andy Helme wants to build on the momentum gained in promotion last year and keep promoting the talented from the club’s thriving under 18s side at every opportunity.

The club are targeting survival and will need a good start against Haresfinch, Bold Miners and Rylands in March.

The pre-season programme continues a pace and a trip to Wigan St Cuthberts on February 21 ahead of the Atoms’ historic Premier League season.