CROWTHER Cup holders Shelley are one of 10 Drakes Huddersfield League sides to gain a bye in the opening round of this year’s regional competition for the Second Elevens.
The Westerley Lane club had a glorious victory over Keighley in the final back in August, when Gary Eastwood hit a half-century as Shelley claimed a last-over win by three wickets.
It was the first win by a club from the Huddersfield League in either a Heavy Woollen or Crowther Cup final since Elland won the latter in 1996.
Shelley will no doubt be determined to defend the trophy, and have been given the ideal start with a clear passage into the second round, along with Barkisland, Delph & Dobcross, Golcar, Kirkheaton, Lascelles Hall, Micklehurst, Scholes, Shepley and Skelmanthorpe.
First round draw, to be played on Sunday, April 20, is:
East Bierley v Woodlands, Buttershaw St Paul’s v New Farnley, Baildon v Slaithwaite, Townville v Wakefield St Michaels, Keighley v Wakefield City, Wrenthorpe v Scholes (Central Yorkshire), Moorland v Brighouse, Morley v Rockingham.
Other teams with byes include: Ackworth, Barnsley, Birstall, Gomersal, Hanging Heaton, Jer Lane, Liversedge, Manningham Mills, Methley, Mirfield Parish Cavaliers, Morley, Spen Vic, Undercliffe, Wakefield Thornes, Yeadon.
