ILKLEY'S rugby player got on their bikes last weekend to raise money for club funds.

After a training session at Stacks Field on Saturday, the players took to the roads for a cyclothon.

It is hoped that their efforts will bring in around £4,000 to help install a steam room as part of their new gym and help finance coaching at Ilkley Grammar School as part of the club's community programme.

Last year the players undertook a similar event and the money raised went towards providing new player shelters.

Head of rugby Rhys Morgan arranged the event as part of his club's preparations for the new National League Three North programme.

Ilkley play their first friendly this Saturday when they entertain Blackburn at 1.30pm. It is part of a double header at Stacks Field with Yorkshire Carnegie taking on star-studded Bath at 6pm.

Morgan is expected to give a number of his second team and young players a chance to show what they can do against Blackburn.

He said: "It is important to see what some of the players pushing for first team places can do. They have the opportunity to show me that they can do a job for us.

"We will have a strong bench and will be able to change things around if we need to."

A number of players who featured in the recent sevens tournaments will be rested for the game.

Admission to the afternoon's activities is £10 for adults and free for all under-18s.

Bath are expected to field many of their top international stars in their first warm-up for the start of the Premiership season.

Ilkley are expecting a crowd of around 2,000 and have organised additional car parking at East Holmes Field.