ILKLEY’S new second-row pair have made a big difference to their side.

Harry Adams and Adam Newman have brought extra height and bulk to the Dalesmen’s pack.

And as his side prepared for Saturday’s National Three North trip to Lymm, head of rugby Rhys Morgan praised his recent recruits.

He said: “Before we brought them in we were having to play forwards coach Nathan Smith and Martyn Mitchell as locks.

“They are more at home in the back row and it meant we were much shorter than our opponents in the line-out.

“We were trying all sorts of things including new calls and moves, but it meant we were often under pressure.

“Since we have been able to have two recognised locks in our side we have been able to win more ball and the two lads have been a big part of our recent wins over Wirral and Doncaster Phoenix.”

Ilkley recorded their first-ever National Two North win at Lymm last season and a repeat would enable them to stay ahead of their rivals who are one place and one point behind them in ninth position.

Lymm triumphed 10-3 at Stacks Field earlier this season and Ilkley have been studying a video of that game in a bid to put the record straight.

“We always like to take a close look at each of our opponents and work out our tactics,” said Morgan.

“Their line speed caused us problems at Stacks Field and we must combat it this time.”

Ilkley will go into the match without their promising young scrum half Jack Maplesden.

He is unavailable so that is likely to open the door for club captain Joe Rowntree to revert to his normal position from the wing, but he does face competition from Ed Brown.

If Rowntree reverts to scrum half there will be a battle for the wing position.

Dion Hendricks and Declan Jackson have both been performing well in the second team.