ILKLEY’S stormy Autumn shows no signs of letting up.

The 24-6 home defeat to Harrogate was their seventh North Premier League reverse and their horrendous injury list continues to mount.

Prop Jock Cockerham and hooker Dan Lawrence both sustained head injuries and when fellow front row player Ollie Holtam also took a knock the scrums had to become uncontested for safety.

“It’s unbelievable,” said head of rugby Rhys Morgan, “I haven’t known anything like it, but we have to battle on.

“At some point things will turn around. We have just got to work hard, stick together and battle through this spell.

“There is no point in moaning. Everybody has injuries and the key is how we deal with the ones we have.

“I reckon there are currently 23 players either injured or unavailable and we are having to keep making changes.

“In past seasons we have always enjoyed our best success when we have achieved continuity in selection

“That isn’t possible at the moment. We have to battle on and look to achieve that elusive win.”

Ilkley visit lowly Birkenhead Park on Saturday, but they know they cannot take them lightly. Defeats at Sandal and Pocklington should serve as warnings of the need to avoid complacency.

“No game is easy in this league and particularly when you are having a run like we are right now,” Morgan added.

“Most of our games have been close, but we haven’t helped ourselves with yellow cards and penalties at crucial times. This is now a real test of all our characters.