LJMU Beat Edge Hill In First Of Crucial Merseyside Double Header

The Winner Of These Back-To-Back Games Will Be The Favourite For Play-Off Qualification From D2NW. After A 35-19 Victory On Sunday, Its Advantage LJMU...

Liverpool John Moores Fury defeated their new neighbours Edge Hill Vikings 35-19 in the first game of a potentially crucial double header in the Division 2 North West (D2NW) on Sunday.

In a clash of the division’s oldest and newest teams, it was the Fury who came away with the win against their new local rivals, having been down by a score at half time.

Having been used to being divisional also-rans for most of their time in the league, the last couple of years have seen LJMU grow into a dynamic and potent force on their day, and they are now the most experienced side in the D2NW. Edge Hill, meanwhile, are one of the two new teams in the Merseyside area – the other being University of Liverpool (UoL) Raptors – who have been born in the wake of the success of the senior league’s Merseyside Nighthawks.

LJMU’s first half rustiness in this game could be forgiven – while Edge Hill came flying into this game off the back of an opening day 37-12 victory over UoL, LJMU’s first game against Keele Crusaders was called off.

Edge Hill’s elusive and mobile quarterback Alan King had thrown two long touchdowns that gave the Vikings their half-time edge, but the dogged and powerful running of the Fury’s Nighthawks running backs Laurent Tshimanga and Daishawn Honohan dragged them back into the game as they clicked into gear in the second half. With both teams running no huddle offences, it’s a contest that produces fast-paced, action packed football.

For now, it’s advantage LJMU, but the sides will meet again this weekend, and a win for Edge Hill could still throw a spanner into the Fury’s plans.

With the remaining two teams in D2NW being Bangor Muddogs and Keele Crusaders – the former on the back of a 2-6 season and the latter having only recently recorded their first ever win – LJMU are the obvious favourites for playoff qualification, but Edge Hill have high ambitions, and both sides are aware that the results of these back-to-back games could end up deciding the outcome of the season.

“This is the toughest challenge of the season – JMU on paper are the best team that we will face, and the most experienced,” said Edge Hill offensive lineman Ryan Stillwell. “I don’t want to sound like I’m getting ahead of myself given that we’re a new team, but I genuinely believe if we can beat JMU we can go to the playoffs.”

Fury defensive back Ben Rawthore added: “Even though it may sound crazy to be talking about playoffs this early in the season. Only one team from each division will make it into the playoffs and with no disrespect to the other teams in the league, whoever comes out on top in this clash is unlikely to drop a two game lead. This is why these games are so important.

If we’re not careful the season could be over before we know it.”

“This is the toughest challenge of the season – JMU on paper are the best team that we will face... I genuinely believe if we can beat JMU we can go to the playoffs.” - Ryan Stillwell, Edge Hill Vikings.

Ben, who also plays for Sheffield Predators and the GB student team, is aware that LJMU have gone from being also-rans to being the team to beat, and accepts the different pressures that come with that.

“I think it highlights the importance of not being complacent,” he said. “Just because we’re the longest running team in the division doesn’t mean we’re the best. We have to go out and prove that every game.

Teams will no longer overlook us and take it easy on us, as they all want to prove they belong in this league and can compete with us. We just have to focus on ourselves, do our job and give 100% from start to finish no matter what the score is.”

Meanwhile Ryan, Edge Hill’s vice chairman, is enjoying the thrill of being able to compete. The team were set to enter the BUCS league in 2014/15, but were unable to secure funding and were forced to wait. He was so excited during their opening victory against UoL that he forgot it was raining.

“The feeling of [wide receiver] Aidan Broadbent scoring our first touchdown for us - hitting the endzone and realising this is what it’s all been for - that was amazing. The day that we played Liverpool it was a torrential downpour - in lots of the photos you can barely see what’s going on through the rain - but the adrenaline was so high and the feeling was so palpable that I forgot it was even raining, I forgot that my boots were squelching with how wet it was. We felt like the world was our oyster, it was amazing.”

With LJMU, Edge Hill and UoL, there are now three university teams in the small city of Liverpool – the students already enjoy a good natured rivalry as many share the city centre, and that spirit will now be infused into the region’s football. Edge Hill took the first win against UoL, but with the Fury-Vikings double header so crucial, it’s currently LJMU with the bragging rights in Liverpool. At least until this Sunday…