FOR the second year in succession Delph & Dobcross have drawn the short straw in the Heavy Woollen Cup, being paired with talented holders Wrenthorpe.

The big-spending Central Yorkshire League club, skippered by Halifax-born ex-Yorkshire player Gary Fellows, have won the Cup for the past four years, and this will be the fourth time in six years that Delph have faced them.

At least Delph have home advantage and, coincidentally, they were the last team to beat Wrenthorpe in the Heavy Woollen, back in 2006 and also at Huddersfield Road.

As well as Delph, the Drakes League have another 10 clubs in the first round, including Skelmanthorpe and Shepley, both of whom did very well last season in reaching the semi-finals (the latter falling to Fellows’ 169).

Skelmanthorpe start their quest with a visit to Bradford League Second Division side Morley, while Shepley are also away – but don’t have far to travel to fellow Premiership club Kirkburton.

In another all-Drakes tie, Barkisland entertain Clayton West, while Scholes, Golcar and Slaithwaite are also at home and looking to progress.

The other two representatives are newly-promoted Shelley, who visit Jer Lane, and Cedar Court Conference club Kirkheaton, who travel to last year’s beaten finalists Hanging Heaton.

In the Crowther Cup for Second Elevens, the fixtures are a reversed, with Scholes travelling to last year’s beaten finalists Wakefield Thornes.

Holders Barnsley, who completed a hat trick of wins last year, take on Spen Vic.

First round draws on Sunday, April 17, are:

HEAVY WOOLLEN

First round: Townville v Wakefield St Michaels, Liversedge v Gomersal, Jer Lane v Shelley, Scholes (Hudds) v Wakefield Thornes, Ossett v Birstall, Barkisland v Clayton West, Spen Victoria v Barnsley, New Farnley v Buttershaw St Pauls.

Golcar v Streethouse, Delph & Dobcross v Wrenthorpe, Hanging Heaton v Kirkheaton, Yeadon v Baildon, Morley v Skelmanthorpe, Slaithwaite v Mirfield Parish, Woodlands v Methley, Kirkburton v Shepley.

CROWTHER CUP

First round: Wakefield St Michaels v Townville, Gomersal v Liversedge, Shelley v Jer Lane, Wakefield Thornes v Scholes (Hudds), Birstall v Ossett, Clayton West v Barkisland, Barnsley v Spen Vic, Buttershaw St Paul’s v New Farnley, Streethouse v Golcar, Wrenthorpe v Delph & Dobcross, Kirkheaton v Hanging Heaton, Baildon v Yeadon, Skelmanthorpe v Morley, Mirfield PC v Slaithwaite, Methley v Woodlands, Shepley v Kirkburton.

The University of Huddersfield are staging another Cricket Conference on Saturday, March 5 (10-4pm) in the Castle Hill Suite.

There will be half-a-dozen speakers, including well-known author Tony Hutton and Bob Horner, who will talking about early cricket in Brighouse.

Admission is free, details from Horner, on bobthebrod@fsmail.net or phone 07776 211891.