“We will bounce back.” That is the defiant message from Ilkley’s head of rugby Rhys Morgan after his side were ravaged by Sheffield Tigers in their opening National League Three North match.

The Dalesmen’s proud two-year unbeaten record was brought to a shuddering halt by a crushing 65-0 defeat in front of the Stacks Field faithful.

As his side prepared for this Saturday’s trip to Lymm, Morgan said: “It was a bitter pill for the younger players in the team to suffer. It was a reality check about the task that faces us at this level of rugby.

“There is no doubt we were beaten by the better team, an ambitious side with a good sprinkling of players with Championship and National League experience.

“But we will be back. We got a similar rude awakening at the start of the 2013-14 campaign at Wath, but bounced back to win the Yorkshire One title.

“We showed far more character and spirit against Sheffield Tigers than we did at Wath so I am confident we can find our feet at this level.”

Looking back at the game, Morgan believes his said got “caught in the headlights,” in their desire to do well.

“The game started at a fast pace and we never settled into it. Instead of slowing the play down and building pressure, we kept kicking or pass the ball away,” said Morgan.

“We made 15-20 turnovers in the first half and you cannot afford to do that against a side life Tigers. They punished us ruthlessly for our mistakes.”

Winger Paul Petchey, who suffered a bang on the head making a try-saving tackle, has been ruled out for the trip to Lymm.

His place could go to Nathan Jones, scorer of five tries for the second team last week, or Aaron Magee.

The experienced Iain McKenzie is available to return in the pack where new boy Konrad McKenzie was called in late on for his debut, last week.