Captain Tim Wade insists it will not be easy as his team seek to become the first Bradford Union side to retain the Yorkshire Inter-District League.

They open their campaign on Sunday at home to Halifax/Huddersfield at Skipton as reigning champions after winning the title for the third time last season.

And Wade believes his side are capable of repeating that success but said: "It will be more difficult than last year as we have four matches away from home (rather than three last year) against Teesside, East Riding, York and Harrogate.

"It's not going to be easy as all sides are getting better and the competition is hotting up."

Wade will also have to do without one of his most consistent performers in Ian Martin, who has retired from the team, while star man Gareth Evans is not expected to play much due to England A squad commitments.

In their absence, the skipper is looking to Yorkshire player Rob Hillas to play a leading role and for the juniors who broke into last year's squad to come of age.

Hillas - one of three senior county players in Sunday's team along with Paul Thomas and Tom Usher - has won successive T&A golfer of the year titles in the last two seasons. Wade believes the son of Northcliffe pro Mick can follow in the footsteps of club-mate Evans, who won county and national titles last season.

"I know he's already done well but he is getting better all the time," said Wade.

"There's no two ways about it - Rob has got the ability to emulate the likes of Gareth and Simon (Bell)."

Liam O'Neill, Adam Sagar and Usher were among a clutch of promising youngsters to break through last year and all three are in Sunday's line-up.

"Last year they were novices but now they are more experienced and I'm looking for them to mature and improve with another year in the bag," added Wade.

"We also have other juniors but they need to push themselves a bit more. They have got to play in more scratch events and not just the league if they want to play for Bradford."

History is on the hosts' side for their opener at Skipton despite losing there last year to title rivals Teesside.

That was their first defeat on the Dales course in 12 years and came against opponents who fielded eight Durham players on the day.

"It is a bit of a fortress and that's why we go there," said Wade, who is without Bradford Open champion James Simpson on Sunday due to unavailability.

Crucially, Bradford's other home games are against two teams expected to be challenging at the top. They entertain Sheffield at Bingley St Ives on June 24 and face last year's runners-up Leeds at Baildon on August 5.

Wade is in his second stint as captain of the Union side, having also overseen their first first league triumph in 1996, which included the likes of Ces Bloice - who went on to become England captain - Phil Wood and Ben Mallinson.

Comparing past with present, Wade said: "The side in the nineties probably had the edge as they were a bit more experienced. But this side will gain that over the next four of five years and can be successful a few more times in that period."

Bradford team vesus Halifax/Huddersfield: Karl Curran (South Bradford), Robert Hillas Northcliffe), James Kelly (Northcliffe), Joe Marshall (Keighley), Liam O'Neill (Keighley), Andy Riley (Ghyll), Matt Roche (Baildon), Danny Rowley (Shipley), Adam Sagar (Keighley), Danny Thomas (Baildon), Paul Thomas (Northcliffe), Tom Usher (Baildon). Reserves: Jamie Mountain (Northcliffe), Andy Utley (Keighley).