ELLAND will be aiming to end Skelmanthorpe’s six-game winning streak in the Romida Sykes Cup on Sunday.

They tackle the holders at their Lidgett Lane base in the second round of this year’s knockout competition on Sunday.

Without last year’s Cup-winning heroes Wasim Jaffer and Qaiser Rashid, Skelmanthorpe are a different proposition this year, but Craig Fletcher will be keen to ensure his side are not complacent after defeating Skelmanthorpe twice in the League already this season.

Last year’s beaten finalists Delph & Dobcross will be expected to progress to the quarter-finals having been drawn away to Conference outfit Armitage Bridge, although Delph ‘old-boy’ Carl Jump, who has played a big part in the Bridge rising to the top of their division, will no doubt be eager to put one over on his former teammates.

Scholes will entertain Shepley for the second time in 24 hours (they play each other in the Premiership programme tomorrow), which is actually a reversal of the original draw, as Shepley have had to concede ground advantage due to their Festival at Marsh Lane.

Another of the round’s top ties is at Shelley, where Golcar are the visitors, while Cawthorne simply can’t get away from their former Central League stablemates. Having knocked out Cumberworth in the first round, they now meet Almondbury Wesleyans in the second, the latter having beaten Micklehurst at the first hurdle.

Hoylandswaine, who beat Emley Clarence in a re-scheduled clash, have home advantage against Lepton Highlanders, who progressed to the second round after their first-round conqerors Rastrick were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player.

In the Paddock Shield, Broad Oak’s reward for conquering the holders Skelmanthorpe is a trip to Kaye Lane to take on Almondbury Wesleyans, while last year’s beaten finalists Golcar entertain Shepley as they bid to go one better than last year.

Having the incentive of the home game in the Sykes Cup, Scholes have had to concede home advantage to Emley Clarence in the Paddock Shield, but it would be a surprise if that seriously affected the chances of Craig Marsh’s side moving into the last eight.

Spectators (and players) are reminded Cup and Shield matches start at 1pm.

Sunday’s ties:

ROMIDA SYKES CUP

Second round:@ Scholes v Shepley, Shelley v Golcar, Armitage Bridge v Delph & Dobcross, Cawthorne v Almondbury Wesleyans, Skelmanthorpe v Elland, Hoylandswaine v Lepton Highlanders, Marsden v Meltham, Barkisland v Clayton West.

PADDOCK SHIELD

Second round:@ Golcar v Shepley, Kirkburton v Barkisland, Emley Clarence v Scholes, Slaithwaite v Armitage Bridge, Paddock v Marsden, Hall Bower v Hoylandswaine, Honley v Cawthorne, Almondbury Wes v Broad Oak.