RHYS Morgan has described Ilkley’s young flanker Joe Lowes as his team’s “He Man.”

The son of Yorkshire Carnegie coach Jimmy Lowes – the former Bradford Bulls rugby league star – excelled in last Saturday’s stunning 21-3 North Premier League win over second-placed Lymm.

The Dalesmen’s head of rugby said: “Joe was awesome. He made a stunning 25 tackles and is definitely our ‘He Man.’

“He typified the spirit of the entire side in what was our best performance of the season.

“The lads defended magnificently in the first half and then ran in three super tries.”

Following up the previous week’s win over Pocklington was important for Morgan.

He believes his side should be in the top half of the table rather than casting a nervy glance over their shoulder at the relegation zone.

Morgan said “What has pleased me most about the two victories is the fact that they have been achieved in conditions which were previously considered to be alien to us.

“The pitch was extremely muddy, but we stuck to our plans, got our game management bang on, and were good value for our win.”

Ilkley, playing at home for the third game in a row, will be hoping for revenge when Wirral visit Stacks Field on Saturday.

The match gives young Lowes chance to avenge the memory of the earlier meeting when he was sent off after just ten minutes and his team lost to an injury-time penalty goal.