DELIGHTED Dave Crow reckons his Heysham Atoms have the capability to pinch the North West Counties fourth division title and that will stun teams from the traditional rugby league heartland.

The coach had every reason to crow after Saturday's hammering of Widnes Tigers at Trimpell and says the attitude of his team is making his job easy.

The 40-4 success made it three wins on the spin for Atoms, who are now joint top of the league with games in hand.

Crow insists there is more to come, saying: "The lads are doing my job for me. They were really disappointed to let Widnes in for a try right at the end of the game and that's a great attitude.

"Our defence has got us where we are this season, they have been magnificent. We have the best defensive record in the league so the lads were a bit miffed when Widnes scored."

Atoms are competing with teams from the heartland of the game and Crow adds: "A few of our lads don't realise just how big the game is in the Oldham, St Helens and Wigan areas. These people are brought up playing the game from the age of five or six - so it makes this season's achievements all the better."

Defence was at the fore in the Trimpell mud as Widnes, big and experienced, started well. But as they tired, Heysham kicked into gear and had too much class for the vanquished visitors.

Big prop Dave McVernon collected another man of the match award and crossed the try line yet again in a star display.

But Crow was more concerned with the display of the rest of his team.

"They all deserved the man of the match," he smiles.

The acid test of Heysham's title tilt starts on Saturday when they kick off a run of three away games at Leigh East.

Tasty treks to Oldham for a game with Waterhead and then into Salford for a clash with Cadishead follow.

"They are tough games but I think, with all the players back and fit, we stand a decent chance," says Crow.

ATOMS: Raines, Jackson, Gar-net, Cambridge, Winder, Helme, Hartlebury, McVernon, Aldren, Hall, Helliwell, Batson, Birkett. Subs: E Pyrah, J Pyrah, Weed, Allen.