CLAYTON WEST drew the short straw when the draw was made for the first round of this season’s Heavy Woollen Cup.

The Frank Platt Championship club – they were relegated from the top flight at the end of last season – were handed an away tie against champions Wrenthorpe, who have lifted the trophy five times in the last six years.

The only break in their silver collection came in 2011, when Shepley hoisted the splendid trophy with victory over Gomersal at Spen Vic.

This year, Shepley must start their trophy trail at Baildon, last season’s Bradford League Second Division champions.

In fact the 10 Drakes League clubs involved had mixed fortunes with five drawn at home and five away, and five of those have been pitched against Bradford League opposition – albeit last season’s second division clubs.

Slaithwaite visit last season’s Bradford League Division II runners-up Morley, while Kirkburton visit the team who finished third in that table, Yeadon.

Also on the travels are Golcar, who visit the Central Yorkshire League stronghold of Birstall.

Newly-promoted Barkisland and Skelmanthorpe have also been paired with Bradford League clubs, but both are at home to Hartshead Moor and Gomersal respectively.

Meanwhile, while Shelley and Delph & Dobcross are at home to Central Yorkshire League opponents and Scholes entertain Jer Lane from the Halifax League, all three should be expected to progress.

The biggest clash of the first round however, is likely to be at Pudsey, where Congs play host to Bradford League champions Woodlands.

The Crowther Cup draw is a complete reverse of the Heavy Woollen Cup, the first rounds of both competitions being scheduled for Sunday, April 21 (1pm).