Holders Shepley need to be focused for tricky test at the Bower

ROMIDA Sykes Cup holders Shepley will need to be fully focused on Sunday when they visit Hall Bower for a potential ‘banana skin’ of a tie in the second round of this year’s competition.

Having already upset Hoylandswaine in the League programme a fortnight ago, the new-look Hall Bower side have the bowling potential to make life difficult for Danny Glover’s Cup kings, who have yet to fire on all cylinders this season.

The Hall Bower v Shepley tie is one of three all-Premiership clashes in the second round, the others being at Hill Top, where Slaithwaite entertain Hoylandswaine, and at Delph & Dobcross, where Scholes are the visitors in what should be the match of the day.

After a bright start to the season, Grant Jones’ Delph side have recently been rocked by Honley, Kirkburton and Golcar, and will be wary of facing Wasim Jaffer, who warmed up by scoring an unbeaten 129 against Shelley in the first round, while Andy Alsop claimed a five-wicket haul.

Championship side Lepton entertain top-flight strugglers Marsden, in what could be another tight game, while high-scoring Conference outfit Linthwaite will be aiming to prevent Cawthorne making further progress this season, after the Barnsley club surprised several by getting to the semis 12 months ago.

In the Fired Up Paddock Shield, holders Scholes will not be overly-concerned about their visit to Kirkheaton, but the Golcar v Shepley clash and Cawthorne’s home game with Broad Oak look to be the spiciest ties of the round.

All matches start at 1pm, while the quarter-finals draw is scheduled to take place next Wednesday (time and venue to be arranged).

The full draws are:

Romida Sykes Cup: Broad Oak v Kirkburton, Elland v Emley Clarence, Linthwaite v Cawthorne, Delph & Dobcross v Scholes, Slaithwaite v Hoylandswaine, Lepton Highlanders v Marsden, Hall Bower v Shepley, Holmfirth v Golcar.

Fired Up Paddock Shield: Almondbury Wesleyans v Linthwaite, Honley v Hall Bower, Kirkheaton v Scholes, Paddock v Elland, Clayton West v Marsden, Cumberworth v Hoylandswaine, Golcar v Shepley, Cawthorne v Broad Oak.