The top two teams in last season’s Premiership face one another after the Heavy Woollen first round draw threw together Honley against Hoylandswine. Danny Howard’s Honley will welcome last term’s champions Swaine to Far End Lane on Sunday April 23rd.
Broad Oak face a stiff test when they host Bradford Premier League opposition with big guns Townville, a team containing former Huddersfield all-rounder of the year Tom Brook and ex-Golcar opening bat Abdul Wahid, journeying to the Linthwaite club. Townville finished runners up to eventual winners New Farnley in the 2022 competition.
Two-time winners Shepley must pass a preliminary test by travelling to Sandal (the only tie at this stage on Sunday April 16th) but they will be rewarded to an away tie at familiar opposition Cawthorne should they progress to the first round. Cawthorne were a Huddersfield Cricket League club from 2011 to 2018.
Elsewhere, an all-HCL clash represents itself at Moorlands who face Championship-side Golcar. Scholes who finished third in the Premiership and progressed the furthest in 2022 by reaching the Heavy Woollen Cup semi-final, start out their campaign this time at home to Burley In Wharfedale. Barkisland, Kirkburton and Shelley all have home draws too with Premiership ‘Burton entertaining Ossett and neighbours Shelley at home to South Kirkby Colliery. Barkisland entertain Spen Victoria from the Bradford League.
The full draw:
Preliminary Round (to be played Sunday, April 16)
Sandal vs Shepley
Round One (to be played Sunday, April 23)
Honley vs Hoylandswaine
New Rover vs Gomersal
Kirkburton vs Ossett
East Bierley vs Undercliffe
Broad Oak vs Townville
Farsley vs New Farnley
Pudsey Congs vs Birstall
Bradford & Bingley vs Methley
Moorlands vs Golcar
Beckwithshaw vs Otley
Shelley vs South Kirkby Colliery
Barkisland vs Spen Victoria
Scholes vs Burley In Wharfedale
Woodlands vs Wakefield Thornes
Barnsley Woolley Miners vs Castleford
Cawthorne vs Sandal or Shepley