RHYS Morgan has challenged his Ilkley players to make sure that their first National league Three North season doesn’t peter out.

He called for a strong finish over the final four games after seeing side suffer another disappointing home defeat against promotion-chasing Wirral last Saturday.

“We’ve achieved a lot this season but it would be a shame if we let our standards slip away because we are in a mid-table position.”

Morgan was unhappy with his team’s 41-27 defeat by Wirral. “We were disjointed in defence with too many gaps and we weren’t positive in the tackle. We made it easy for Wirral’s big forwards.

“I went through the main problem areas with the players in training and they put their hands up and admitted there were things which need to be put right.

“It is frustrating to be losing games at home. We really do owe our supporters a good performance so let’s hope it is Saturday.”

Rossendale, who also won promotion last season, are the visitors to Stacks Field on Saturday and they will be looking to complete a double over the Dalesmen after beating them earlier in the season.

The Ilkley selectors will have a number of things to ponder when they meet tonight. Australian forward Nick Carolan is unavailable while flanker Gus Ramsay has a hand injury.

On the plus side, second row James Spencer is available again along with front rower Jon Hutchinson and No 8 Will Davies.