Sykes Cup Final Repeat In Round One
Broad Oak holders will have to do it all over again in the opening round of the Sykes Cup by travelling to their final opponents Moorlands in the pick of the first round Sykes Cup fixtures.
Oak asserted remarkable control during their memorable victory last August against the eventual Premiership champions, however they may need to dig a bit deeper under a new captain, given the departure of crack all-roundr Fletcher Coutts. Moorlands, who will be fielding one or two new faces will be keen to make amends for the defeat which slightly sullied what was a fiercly impressive league campaign.
Local bragging rights will be competed for as Skelmanthorpe visit more earnest neighbours in Cumberworth. And another crunch valley tie will see Shelley make a short journey to Shepley. Championship outfit Slaithwaite have the unenviable task of attempting to keep Hoylandswaine at bay who are set to have a new look team after the departure and retirement of key players such as last season’s skipper Chris Holliday and deadly swing bowler Muhammad Azzharullah who has stepped down from playing.
There is an all-Premiership affair - the only other one of the round - at Chapelgate who entertain Kirkburton; a tie that looks on paper, hard to separate. Newly promoted Golcar and Delph & Dobcross go away to Conference sides Emley Clarence and Clayton West in a pair of potentially tricky fixtures. Top flight Barkisland who will expect a strong run in this competition will need to negotiate a path past Marsden who ran away with the Conference last term. Honley and Almondbury Wesleyans, both top flight sides have been humbled in recent years and will need to keep their wits about them when they welcome Denby and Thurstonland.
All ties are set to be played on Sunday April 28th (12:30pm)
The full draw:
Scholes v Kirkburton
Clayton west v Delph & Dobcross
Linthwaite v Mirfield Parish
Honley v Denby
Kirkheaton v Thongsbridge
Lascelles Hall v Armitage Bridge
Cumberworth v Skelmanthorpe
Almondbury Wes v Thurstonland
Hoylandswaine v Slaithwaite
Hall Bower v Meltham
Moorlands v Broad Oak
Birkby Rose Hill v Mirfield
Shepley v Shelley
Marsden v Barkisland
Emley Clarence v Golcar
Holmfirth v Rastrick
