RHYS Morgan has told his promotion-chasing Ilkley team to play with their heads in Saturday’s North One East derby at Bradford & Bingley.

He is aware that the Bees will be thirsting to avenge the 32-13 defeat they suffered at Stacks Field in November.

The Ilkley coach said: “Derby games are always full of passion and Bradford & Bingley need points just as much as we do. They want to pull away from the bottom and they will be motivated to play us.

“Their forwards coach Ronnie Kelly came up to me after our last encounter and said it would be a different game at their place.

“That is what we expect and that is what we will prepare for. It is important we focus on our game plan and the way we want to play.”

Morgan was thrilled with the how his team performed in beating Wheatley Hills 48-13 last week. He was particularly impressed with the performance of the pack where Ollie Renton and James Colclough formed a new second-row combination in the absence of Pete Small, James Spencer and the injured Steve Burns. Second teamer Johnny Yale also had a fine game in the back row.

“The backs got all the tries but the forwards were magnificent,” said Morgan. “Renton was a real warrior while Colclough and Yale showed they are genuine first team material. It showed again the strength in depth we have this season.”

Skipper Stuart Vincent will return at Wagon Lane after being on the replacements’ bench last week. He replaces the unavailable Ben Magee who scored two tries against Wheatley Hills.