Draws for the Wynn and Cowling cup competitions in the Craven Cricket League were made on Monday and some intriguing ties were pulled out of the hat.
Holders of the Wynn Cup trophy, Embsay, face a tricky tie down at Bradley whilst last year's beaten finalists, Barrowford, will fancy their chances at home to Long Lee. Thornton will be thankful to be at home to Cullingworth in what could be a very close game. The newly promoted clubs, Haworth WE and Denholme look to have comfortable ties against Gargrave and Sutton respectively.
The holders of the Cowling Cup, Embsay, will be at home to Fourth Division Foulridge, whilst beaten finalist's Barrowford entertain Cowling. Possibly the tie of the round will be at Thornton where Haworth will be the visitors. Airedale get their chance to test themselves in Division Three when they take on Bradley at Bradford Road. The other promoted side, Ingrow St John's should make progress against Long Lee III at Street Lane.
The Wynn Cup final will be played at Bradley on August 17 and the Cowling Cup final will be at Ingrow a week earlier.
On the League front, Oxenhope have been accepted into the League for season 2004.
Season 2003 kicks off on Saturday 26th April with the pick of the games being Cullingworth v Oakworth. The latter being without the services of their star player, Michael Scarborough, banned at the end of last season, for the first three matches.
Champions Embsay make the short journey down to Skipton CI.
The newly promoted clubs, Haworth WE and Denholme both start with home games. The former against Long Lee and the latter take on Cowling. The remaining fixtures in the division are Bradley v Thornton and Barrowford v Haworth.
Pendle Forest start their new life in the Second Division with a derby game at home to fellow demotees Foulridge. There is a Keighley derby with Ingrow St John's entertaining Ingrow at Street Lane.
The Third Division champions begin the defence of their title at home to Skipton C.I., whilst Oakworth entertain Cullingworth. Ingrow St John's and Airedale, who were promoted, both have interesting away fixtures at Thornton and Cowling respectively.
In the Fourth Division demoted Bradley will be favourites to win their opening game at Pendle Forest III.
n At the league's recent Annual Meeting all officials and the Executive Committee were re-elected.
The League suffered a loss of £550 on the year. Extra insurance and the annual dinner proving to be the main reasons for the loss.
The major rule alteration was that clubs will only be allowed to sign one overseas player per-season. That is a player who has been brought into the country specially to play cricket.
The full cupr draws are:
WYNN CUP - Pendle Forest v Ingrow, Haworth v J. Nelson's, Cowling v Skipton C.I., Thornton v Cullingworth, Denholme v Sutton, Bradley v Embsay, Chatburn v Glusburn, Oakworth v Airedale, Gargrave v Haworth WE, Barrowford v Long Lee, Cononley v Ingrow St John's, Foulridge v Carleton. To be played on Sunday, May 11.
COWLING CUP: Ingrow St John's v Long Lee III, Pendle Forest III v Oakworth, Cononley v Glusburn, Pendle Forest II v Sutton, Thornton v Haworth, Long Lee II v Skipton C.I., Chatburn v Keighley T.C., Embsay v Foulridge, Gargrave v Denholme, Barrowford v Cowling, Ingrow v Cullingworth, Airedale v Bradley. To be played Sunday, May 18.
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