HEYSHAM Atoms got their fingers burned by the heat of Wakefield's high flying East-moor Dragons in the first round of the 2004 BARLA National Cup on Saturday - beaten 58-8.

Atoms hit the ground running, as so often in recent weeks, with a pinpoint kick from Keith Hartlebury allowing winger Simon Ledwick to gather and score a try in the corner.

But that only served to rile Eastmoor and they were to score 28 points before the interval through great organisation, good half back play and support of the highest calibre.

Despite the defensive efforts of Gavin Helliwell and the returning Andy Helme, the pressure exerted by Eastmoor forced Atoms into crucial errors - and Dragons pounced on every one.

Atoms regrouped to produce a more controlled second period, led by Dave McVernon up front and the clever runs of Bryan Cambidge from full back. In fact, Atoms dominated territorially only to be hit by a series of counter punches from Dragons as the score accelerated to 52-4.

The local men never stopped battling, though, and the elusive Garnett finally gained some consolation as he raced outside the Eastmoor cover to notch his 19th try of the season.

ATOMS: Birkett, Garnett, Batson, Cambidge, Ledwick, Mills, Hartlebury, McVernon, Walker, Helme, Allan, Helliwell, Aldren. Reps: Shaw, Harvey, Hall, Pyrah