ILKLEY captain Elliot Morgan said the club is targeting a top-six finish in the North Premier.

That would be the highest ever for the club, who are currently in sixth place, level on points with Wirral and Sandal. But Ilkley have a greater points difference than their two rivals.

The break for Christmas and New Year has allowed several of the players to rest their bodies and recover from some minor injuries.

“We’ve got quite a small squad, so it was a welcome rest because some of us were carrying a few knocks,” said Morgan. “But we’ve got everyone back fit and ready for Saturday.”

Although he said the players have had a break from ‘contact’, he did say that two training sessions were held the week before Christmas and one was held shortly after.

“It was good for the lads who wanted to train,” said Morgan, who added that the players will be looking to be more consistent going into the second half of the season.

“We just have to be more consistent because if we lose a couple on the bounce then we’ll drop down a few places.

“Our goal is to beat our league position from the year before, and last year we finished joint seventh - so we’ll be aiming for a top-six finish.

“We have to beat the teams below and pick up some scalps from the teams above us.”

This Saturday, Ilkley visit Kirkby Lonsdale, who they beat 43-5 at Stacks Field in September. The Cumbrians are currently in ninth place, just three points behind Ilkley.

“They’re a good side, but they were missing a couple of their key players when they played us in September,” said Morgan. “We’re not going to underestimate them.

“They’re also a lot stronger at their ground, which is quite open and can be very windy and susceptible to bad weather.”

Morgan, 23, an outside centre, is in his fourth season at the club and is nearing 100 appearances.

He said: “I’m usually known for my defending, but I’ve had quite a few attacking opportunities this season and even I’ve won a couple man of the match awards.”

Saturday’s match starts at 2.15pm.