HEYSHAM Atoms opened the new North West Counties Division Four campaign with a tough trip to Blackbrook (St Helens) at the weekend and were edged out 24-20.
It was always going to be a difficult task for the locals with four players in unfamiliar positions and six key men from last season out of contention.
And so it was when the game started badly and errors saw the hosts take command with a brace of tries to open up a 10 point lead.
Man-of-the-match Russell Birkett hit the ball at pace to race through defence and score under the sticks for Atoms, with Neil Walker converting.
A Walker penalty madeit 10-8 before bad discipline saw the hosts gain a penalty and a converted try just before half time to race into a decisive lead.
The final 25 minutes of the game was all Atoms with Andy Garnet scoring a well deserved try, which he converted, and Birkett touching down under the sticks again - but it was too little too late.
ATOMS are at home to promoted Eccleston Lions this weekend, kick off 2.30pm at Heysham High School
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