Rhys Morgan will tell his Ilkley players to play with their heads not their hearts as they go into Saturday’s home game with York knowing that victory will give them the Yorkshire One title.

The head of rugby is also urging them to cut out the hot air and concentrate on the small talk as they look to crown their season by putting silverware in the Stacks Field trophy cabinet.

Last week’s 15-15 draw at Doncaster Phoenix extended their unbeaten league run to 18 matches and means they are four points adrift of Dinnington who have finished their programme.

Morgan said: “The mathematics are simple. There are no complicated calculations to be done. A straight forward victory will see us win the title by virtue of having more wins. It is important that we keep our minds on the task of winning the game. I don’t want the players getting too worked up and making a lot of noise.

“Spouting hot air has no constructive purpose. I have stressed to the players the importance of our small talk, by that I mean the words of information which help a colleague to know where you are making a run or where the support is, that is crucial.

“We have to keep our nerves under control and stay patient. We need to build up the phases and play to our patterns.

“It is also important that we don’t waste all the good work we have done so far this season. We are unbeaten at home and we want to keep it that way, we also want to avoid being involved in the promotion play offs. Our destiny is in our hands.”

Ilkley only have one injury concern for their clash with a York side that is coached by former Otley chief Peter Clegg, winger JH Johnson picked up a knock at Doncaster and will be monitored in training tonight.

Versatile Tm Collard, who missed the Doncaster Phoenix game, is back in training and may come into contention for a place on the bench.

Ilkley officials are hoping for a bumper crowd at Stacks Field as theirs is the only league game being played on Saturday.

Morgan added: “It will be good having a few extra people there cheering us on, but it is down to us to produce the result which we all want.

“We know what we have to do and now we have to go and do it. York won’t just lie down so we have to make sure we prepare ourselves correctly.”