BRADFORD Salem, who have been granted direct entry into the first round of the Yorkshire Cup for the first time in their 100-year history, have been awarded a home tie.

They will face Goole on Saturday, August 31, with the winners being drawn away against either Doncaster Phoenix or Huddersfield in a match that must be played by October 26.

Cleckheaton have a home derby against regular Boxing Day foes Old Brodlieans, also on August 31, with the winners at home to Heath or Morley in round two.

Ilkley were drawn at home to Middlesbrough but have withdrawn as they did not intend to enter in the first place, only doing so due to an administrative error.

Yorkshire Cup - First round: Bradford Salem v Goole, Cleckheaton v Old Brodleians, Middlesbrough w.o. Ilkley, Doncaster Phoenix v Middlesbrough, Sandal v Malton & Norton, Moortown v York, Wetherby v Pontefract, Heath v Morley. Ties to be played by August 31.

In the Yorkshire Shield, there are four preliminary round matches, one of which involves 2023 winners Baildon, who have been drawn at Northallerton, with this match also taking place on Saturday, August 31. The winners will be at home to North Ribblesdale.

In the first round, Keighley, 2024 Shield runners-up, have a tie at Dinnington, Yarnbury have been drawn at home to Roundhegians, while Bramley Phoenix host Halifax Vandals.

Yorkshire Shield - Preliminary round: Bridlington v Hullensians, Ripon v Old Rishworthians, Northallerton v Baildon, West Leeds v Pocklington. Ties to be played by August 31.

First round: Bridlington or Hullensians v Acklam, Ripon or Old Rishworthians v Redcar, Baildon or Northallerton v North Ribblesdale, Dinnington v Keighley, Yarnbury v Roundhegians, West Leeds or Pocklington v Beverley, Bramley Phoenix v Halifax Vandals, Wath upon Dearne v Wensleydale. Tes rto be played by October 26

Bradford & Bingley, in the third-tier Yorkshire Silver Trophy for the first time in their history, are involved in one of two preliminary-round ties, being drawn at Wheatley Hills, while West Park Leeds travel to Barnsley.

The Bees are hoping that their match can be delayed until October 26 due to player unavailability because of the summer holidays.

The winners will then travel to either Rotherham Phoenix or Thornensians.

Other first-round ties are Old Otliensians v Halifax, and Barnsley or West Park Leeds v Burley.

Yorkshire Silver Trophy - First round: Barnsley v West Park Leeds, Wheatley Hills v Bradford & Bingley, Rotherham Phoenix v Thornensians.

Second round: Barnsley or West Park Leeds v Burley, Old Otliensians v Halifax, Leeds Corinthians v Castleford, Rotherham Phoenix or Thornensians v Wheatley Hills or Bradford & Bingley.

In the first round of the Yorkshire Vase, Aireborough have been drawn at home to Knaresborough, while newcomers Wortley will be at home to Maltby.

Yorkshire Vase - First round: Knottingley v Stocksbridge, Wortley v Maltby, Aireborough v Knaresborough. Ties to be played by August 31.

Second round: Knottingley or Stocksbridge v Hornsea, York RI v Wortley or Maltby, Nestle Rowntree v Hessle, Aireborough or Knaresborough v Leeds Modernians.

Also on Auguat 31, Bradford Salem will face Bradford & Bingley in a veterans’ curtain raiser to the cup tie match for the inaugural Peter Rae Memorial Trophy.

In pre-season friendlies, Bradford & Bingley will be at home to Skipton on Saturday, August 17 (2pm), when Ilkley host Manchester (2.30), while Keighley are at home to Cleckheaton on Thursday, August 22 (7pm).

On Saturday (August 10), Cleckheaton will take part in a three-way tournament at Bowden RUFC, facing the hosts at 2pm and Manchester at 3pm, while Keighley are at Morley (3pm) before welcoming Halifax Vandals to Utley on Thursday, August 15 (7pm).

On Thursday, August 29, Cleckheaton’s second XV will host Old Crossleyans (7.30pm).

Otley, who kicked off their pre-season at home to Leeds Tykes on Thursday, August 8, travel to Scarborough on Friday, August 16 (7.30pm) and are at Sandal on Thursday, August 22 (7.30).