WYNN CUP holders Oakworth Cricket Club face a tough opening round in their bid to retain their title.

They have been drawn away to Thornton-in-Craven in the first round of the competition as the Craven League prepares for the coming season.

Newly promoted Cullingworth get a chance to prove they are good enough for the top division when they entertain Foulridge. The Red Rose club can be unpredictable and is quite capable of upsetting any club in the division.

Denholme will be looking to upset Skipton CI. The teams met in the first round last year with CI getting through by two wickets at Sandylands. Denholme will be looking to reverse the result on their home territory.

Long Lee have to travel to Chatburn while last year's beaten finalists, Haworth, will expect to make progress at the expense of Carleton. Airedale will have to pull out all the stops against Pendle Forest.

The league will break new ground with the final being held at Ingrow.

The juiciest tie of the Cowling Cup's first round is the game between last season's beaten finalists Embsay and newly promoted Cullingworth. Holders Thornton travel to Chatburn to start the defence of their trophy. Division Three champions Oakworth travel to Foulridge.

Cononley will host the final for the second successive year.

n Solicitors JP Mewies and Co are to sponsor the Craven & District Cricket League throughout the 2002 season.

The sponsorship will be used to benefit all the clubs in the league and will also support a promising young player at the Scarborough Summer School for cricket in July.

n Wynn Cup (May 12): Gargrave v Keighley Tech; Ingrow v Jimmy Nelson's; Bradley v Glusburn; Barrowford v Cowling; Cullingworth v Fouldridge; Denholme v Skipton CI; Chatburn v Long Lee; Thornton v Oakworth; Carleton v Haworth; Haworth WE v Sutton; Pendle Forest v Airedale; Cononley v Ingrow St John's; Embsay (bye).

Cowling Cup (May 19): Long Lee III v Haworth; Skipton CI v Bradley; Chartburn v Thornton; Foulridge v Oakworth; Barrowford v Cononley; Embsay v Cullingworth; Cowling v Denholme; Airedale v Glusburn; Keighley TC v Sutton; Gargrave v Ingrow; Pendle Forest III v Ingrow St John's; Long Lee II v Pendle Forest II.