RHYS Morgan believes his Ilkley team’s performances are getting better and better despite having lost their last five games.

Saturday’s 24-17 home defeat by Rossendale was another case of them losing a close-fought encounter.

The Dalemen take a break from National Three North action this weekend before tackling unbeaten leaders Huddersfield.

Morgan said: “We are playing some good rugby but things just aren’t going our way at the minute.

“Against Rossendale a ball squirted out of the side of a scrum and their flanker pounced to score a decisive try. In contrast, we were in a great position late in the game but came up with a handling error.

“I cannot fault the lads for their effort. I have been in situations like this before and you just have to persevere.”

Despite their barren run, Ilkley remain ninth in a highly-competitive division.

“We need a couple of more wins to guarantee our position in the league for another season and I am confident we can get them,” said Morgan.

“It is hard when you are an all-amateur side coming up against semi-professional outfits,but we have to keep plugging away.

“We are playing good rugby and have plenty of talent in our side.We just have to keep believing in ourselves.”