HEYSHAM Atoms made the worst possible start on their trip to Leigh at the weekend - falling four points behind to a first minute try before a single Atoms player had touched the ball.

Things looked ominous for the locals on a heavy pitch, appropriately named Marsh field, against opponents who were bigger man-for man..

But full back Guy Richardson carved a route to the Harriers try line to put the Atoms right back in the contest - and they went on to win for the fourth time in the last five league outings and rise to a heady ninth in the North West Counties Division Two table.

Nineteen-year old prop Liam Hall was the most aggressive forward on display for Atoms as time and time again he punched holes in the Harriers' defence.

And as the Harriers began to lose their grip on the game, they repeatedly stretched the laws of the game to contain the Heysham outfit.

Half time arrived with the teams level but the Atoms were always in control after the break and a clever steal of the ball by Lewis Mills close to the Harriers line brought a try out of nothing as he sent winger Andy Garnet over the line unopposed.

Harriers were forced to drop the ball out from behind their posts on numerous occasions as Atoms turned up the pressure.

One last-tackle option ended with captain Keith Hartlebury attempting a drop goal, but the soft pitch halted the effort.

The last try of the game was scored down the left-hand flank, with winger Simon Ledwick running through with such power and pace that he carried three would-be tacklers all the way to the line and over it.

Once again, Brian Cambridge was adjudged to be man of the match with another impressive display in both attack and defence.

The Atoms last game before the Christmas break is against Latchford Albion at Trimpell on Saturday, kicking off at 2pm.