lkley be be looking to extend their 100 per cent home record and lay the North Ribblesdale bogey at Stacks Field on Saturday.

The Dalesmen were beaten twice by the Settle side last season and are anxious not to slip up again as they try to keep their Yorkshire Division One title chase on course.

North Ribblesdale are tricky opponents for an Ilkley side that has lost its last two matches and seen its hopes of a quick return to Twickenham ruined by Saturday’s 22-12 Yorkshire Shield defeat at Huddersfield YMCA.

Coach Rhys Morgan said: “We will have to get our tactics right because North Ribblesdale have already won away against our promotion rivals Huddersfield YMCA and Wath.”

Last week’s absentees Josh Cockerham, Steve Burns, Kris Stafford, Nathan Bland, Chris Chapman, Mike Cacchia, Ryan Duckett and Craig Barker are all expected to return.

But Morgan is quick to point out: “The lads who came in from the second team battled tremendously hard and did themselves proud.

“As disappointing as the defeat was, there was a big positive that the players showed that we have a united club.

“It is vital that we have everybody pulling in the same direction and wanting the club to do well."