Ilkley Rugby Club face a tough away fixture at Pontefract to kick-off the season.

Training has started in earnest with sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 7 pm. The serious stuff follows a couple of months of fun training which many club regulars have attended along with a number of guests from clubs up and down the valley.

"They have helped retain fitness levels without the real pressure of full-on training," said Brendan Kelley, one man who is going to be fighting tooth and nail for a first team slot this coming challenging season.

Ilkley's elevation to Powergen Northern Division Yorkshire League One gives the club a big new challenge but certainly not one that over faces new first fifteen skipper Mike Leeson.

Ilkley beat Pontefract, who only lost out on promotion themselves in the play-off against North east side Alnwick, by the odd point in 81 last season and Leeson reckons his side will be capable of holding its own.

He welcomes names on the fixture not seen at Stacks Field since before league rugby began.

"Teams like Old Crossleyans, Selby, Bridlington and Goole have all been absent from the list for a long time and we welcome the opportunity to test our mettle at this level," said Leeson.

Coach Richard Midgeley said he was confident of producing a side, which would perform well at the higher level.

As usual he was unfazed by the task ahead. "The euphoria of promotion is over and done with. We now have to get on with the task in hand. We are fully intent on putting out four teams this season so everyone is welcome to training.

"As always we are keen to strengthen our first team squad and so new players at all levels are more than welcome to come and savour the Ilkley experience," said Midgeley.

The Annual General meeting of the club took place in the clubhouse on Tuesday.

"This season will throw up new challenges on and off the field," said secretary Ken Bernard.

"We must be up to those challenges and anyyone who can contribute in however small a way is asked to show their solidarity with the club."

The Thursday gang will begin their work programme this month and anyone who can lend a hand on Thursday mornings is asked to turn up at around 10 am.