ILKLEY head of rugby Rhys Morgan is wise enough to know that this season's battle to avoid relegation is all but over for his side.

The Dalesmen are 23 points adrift at the foot of the North Premier with only seven games left of their miserable campaign.

With a postponement last weekend and a break in fixtures the one before, Morgan believes his team have had a chance to recharge the batteries as they aim to end the season on a high with a few good results.

The Ilkley boss said: "It has been a good little break we have had no distractions to worry about meaning we could train solidly and not waste any sessions. We just need to now transfer that onto the field.

"We were disappointed not to play (against Rossendale) because we missed out on the younger players getting experience.

"I am under no illusions that the ship has already sailed on this season. The teams in this league are so strong and experienced.

"We just look to keep going and try put a good string of results together to put us in good stead for next season."

Ilkley travel to eighth-placed Lymm this season desperate for the points after only winning two of their previous 19 matches this season.

Despite losing the reverse fixture 30-15 last November, Morgan thinks the result did not justify his team's solid performance and is determined to gain revenge this time out.

He said: "It would be nice to be in contention at half time after the last few games where we have just been blown away.

"The one game which has slipped away from us the most was that game against Lymm at home. We were dominant and should have scored more points. We just let them in the second half and they scored their tries.

"We are confident that we can do something (this weekend) and make a game of it. We will always try to win.

"Morale is high. The players are trying so hard we have just not had the results."