WALNEY Terriers aim to start the season with back-to-back victories when they take on Morecambe Bay Storm at GSK Sports Club, Ulverston this Sunday (2pm kick-off).

The Terriers opened their campaign with a 27-14 victory at BAFA League newcomers Knottingley Raiders, and they will be in confident mood as they host Morecambe in a game being dubbed as the ‘battle of the Bay’.

Like Knottingley, Morecambe are also league rookies and the Terriers – who are now in their sixth season – will be confident of victory, having beaten them twice in friendlies last year.

The Terriers’ opening day comeback win came on the back of a three-hour journey to Yorkshire and against a team who had won five out of six games to qualify for the league.

The visitors trailed 14-0 at the break in what turned out to be a game of two halves.

After a change in the blocking scheme from line coach Alex Mbuli , Walney came out for the second half a different team and dominated the play.

Several mistakes by the Raiders saw Mark Talbot and Jake Chaplow pick off the Raiders quarterback, giving good field position from which the Terriers capitalised with two quick touchdown runs from Joe Allington and Mark Turner.

The Terriers’ defense cancelled out any big pass plays from the Raiders and a missed field goal apiece saw the scores tied at 14-all at the end of the third.

Both teams tired in the 21 degrees heat in the fourth quarter, but the Terriers’ offense ran the ball for a further two decisive touchdowns for Allington and Brad Pearce.

Terriers Head Coach Dave Oakley was delighted with the result, saying: “I’m immensely proud of the team following this result; we have got the monkey off our backs early, but the job is not done by any means.

“Our focus was on being clinical at the start of the game but we made some crucial mistakes in that first half. The boys showed they were made of sterner stuff and came out firing in the second, showing real character.

“We have built a good platform going into our next game; we now need to focus on getting a good result against Morecambe to keep this momentum going.”

The Terriers are hoping for a big crowd at this Sunday’s game against Morecambe. The bar will be open for food and drink, and club sponsors, The Mill, Ulverston, PYE Motors and Poole Townsend, will be in attendance.