IT'S been a fantastic season so far for Ilkley Rugby Club having cruised into a joint first placed spot in the North One East Division.

They share that spot with Old Brodleians, both sides on 33 points only eight games in.

Unfortunately, Ilkley didn't have an option to build on their lightning quick start to the new season at the weekend, following an absent weekend in the season's schedule.

But as the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder and for everyone at Ilkley Rugby Club, that will be the case.

They won't have to wait long because the West Yorkshire side return to action on Saturday as they travel to Morley for a challenging tie on the road.

They (Morley) currently sit in fifth and were the only side to compete at the weekend (6th), beating Pocklington 13-0 at home.

Likewise, Ilkley's latest performance (two weeks ago) saw them thrash Bradford and Bingley 76-0 at home and after the fixture, their boss Rhys Morgan admitted he isn't taking anything for granted.

He said: "“We are reaching our objective at the moment. It has been a little bit frustrating at times as we feel that a few games have slipped away, such as the previous week at Heath (31-31 draw), but the fact that we are not five points clear it has asked more questions of us.

“This will stand us in good stead going forward so we can learn as a young team that we don’t get things all our own way, and maybe those lessons are going to be good lessons when we come unstuck.

“We are taking nothing for granted. We did think that we would come away with a win at Heath with the people that we have beaten and the people that they have beaten and so we are under no illusions as we know they lost to Cleck on Saturday, who are a good team."

Morgan will be hoping his side can continue their fine start at Morley on Saturday, but he will certainly expect a tough encounter.