BARLA National Cup first round draw confirmed

Correspondent

BARLA have confirmed the ties which will make up the first round of the National Cup, and it has thrown up some intriguing contests.

Three sides from London are competing in the competition for the first time in their history, and they will join sides from the Pennine League, North West Men’s League Cumbria and a side from the now folded North West Counties Open Age Amateur League.

Last year’s winners Sharlston Rovers will host Fryston Warriors, with those two teams currently first and second respectively in the Pennine League Premier Division.

“I would like to thank all the leagues for encouraging their clubs to enter our prestigious competition with all the work that has gone on behind the scenes and I had a tingle of excitement when I was involved making the draw,” BARLA Vice Chair Steve Manning said.

“We would like to welcome newcomers to the National Cup from both outside and inside the heartlands, and to clubs who haven’t competed in the competition over the last few years.

“I hope that when other clubs see this they will seriously think about returning to the 2016 National Cup.

“There are some intriguing ties amongst the whole round but the stand out tie will see a clash of holders Sharlston Rovers entertaining Fryston Rovers, who currently lie in first and second place in the Pennine League Premier Division.”

2015 BARLA National Cup Round One Draw

Batley Boys  v  Ryhill Hammers
Hunslet Parkside Club  v  Halton Simms Cross
Methley Royals  v  Keighley
Stanningley  v  Leeds Underdogs
Whinmoor Warriors  v St Maries Vikings
Crigglestone All Blacks  v  Illingworth
Upton  v  North Herts Crusaders
Mudchute Uncles  v  Halifax Irish
Dewsbury Moor  v  Widnes West Bank
Egremont Rangers v  West Leeds
Brighouse  v  Hindley
Sharlston Rovers  v  Fryston Warriors
Holderness Vikings  v  Thornhill Trojans
Heysham Atoms  v  Queensbury
Queens  v  Eastern Rhinos
Bamber Bridge v Wath Brow Hornets.

Games to be played on Saturday 10th January 2015