SLIDESHOW: Heysham youngsters win Waterhead thriller

The Heysham Atoms’ promising under 13 side moved to the top of the table with a 42-16 win over Waterhead.
Heysham Atoms Under 13s. Ike Eastwood. Picture by Rob ShawHeysham Atoms Under 13s. Ike Eastwood. Picture by Rob Shaw
Heysham Atoms Under 13s. Ike Eastwood. Picture by Rob Shaw

A bumper crowd watched the youngsters put in another fine performance against the former league leaders.

Ike Eastwood opened the scoring with a excellent try from 30 metres out under the posts with Henry Connolly kicking the conversion.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After Waterhead had been penalised for a high tackle Kyle Barton then powered his way over for a try out wide.

Heysham Atoms Under 13s. Ike Eastwood. Picture by Rob ShawHeysham Atoms Under 13s. Ike Eastwood. Picture by Rob Shaw
Heysham Atoms Under 13s. Ike Eastwood. Picture by Rob Shaw

The visitors hadn’t touched the ball and it was already 10-0 to the Atoms but it was then the hosts’ turn to be penalised for a high challenge with Waterhead crossing for a converted score.

A further penalty allowed the Oldham side to level things up at 10-10 with another try.

In what had turned into a thrilling game of youth rugby, the Atoms were next to score with Simon Cody making it 14-10 at the break after good work from Barton, Ewan Hutchinson and Callum Brodie.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Early in the second period Heysham extended their lead, Eastwood profiting on some fine defence to run the full length of the field to score a fine try converted by Connolly.

Barton then had his second, another excellent individual score with Connolly again adding the extras.

Waterhead weren’t done however and reduced the arrears to 26-16 to make sure the game was still in the balance.

The Atoms got the decisive try however, Connolly getting a try of his own to put the game beyond doubt.

Barton then completed his hat-trick before Eastwood did the same with Connolly adding two further conversions as the Atoms, having battled hard, eventually ran out comfortable winners.

Related topics: