lkley coach Rhys Morgan faces some tricky selection decisions for Saturday’s Yorkshire Division One game with Pocklington at Stacks Field Injuries and unavail- abilites are forcing him to delve deeper into his squad as Ilkley look to build on their promising start.
New centre Jack Revell is not available after his promising debut in the 15-3 win over Keighley while injury rules out hooker Leon Treco and flanker Nathan Bland. Both only lasted half the game last Saturday.
With winger Callum Gillon having returned to university there are places up for grabs.
Morgan said: “We saw in the Yorkshire Shield win at Heath that we have greater depth these days and whoever I pick has the chance to impress.”
Making tough choices is nothing new for Morgan. He had seen the potential of new boy Revell after just one training session but risked putting the noses out of joint of those who are already at the club by playing him against Keighley.
“We are in the business of winning and the lads concerned were okay with Jack’s selection,” said Morgan.
Watching the Keighley game was Leeds University's representative Hugh Gumbs, the former Old Otliensians player-coach, who reckons Revell has the potential to reach National League level.
It wasn't the most enthralling of derbies - there wasn't even the usual fight - but Morgan was happy to garner the four points for a victory.
He said: “Things are starting to gell as we have had seven new players since the end of last season, including a centre partnership of Mark Kirkby and Jack Revell, and a new second-row pairing.
“We had three or four other chances to score tries and get a bonus point but you build your team around your defence and I am delighted that we stopped Keighley scoring a try.”
Both of Ilkley's tries came in the first half, scrum half Kirk Arundale (seven minutes) and flanker Neil Spence (30min) profiting from fine drives by the home pack, fly half Tom Bills converting the second try to add to his earlier penalty.
Keighley’s sole reply was a Danny McGee penalty.
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