The draw for the 1st Round of the 2015 BARLA National Cup has been made which see’s three sides from the London competing in the competition for the first time in their histories, a new side from the ‘heartlands’ of the game, and 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.

All the entrants have had mixed fortunes in the draw which is always about the luck of the draw. In relation to the London clubs Mudchute Uncles will entertain Halifax Irish, North Herts Crusaders and Eastern Rhino`s will travelling to former winners Queens and Upton respectively. Newcomers Leeds Underdogs travel to Stanningley for a Leeds derby clash with mixed fortunes for Cumbria side Egremont Rangers and Wath Brow Hornets both former winners, Rangers welcome East Leeds and the Hornets travel to Bamber Bridge. Halton Simms Cross, previous winners who had been playing in the North West Counties Open Age Amateur League before last week’s decision travel to Hunslet Parkside Club.

The tie of the opening round features 2014 winners Sharlston Rovers who will welcome Fryston Warriors who are currently first and second respectively in the Pennine League Premier Division.

BARLA Vice Chair Steve Manning,
“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.
“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.

The Draws

Round 1
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 Rhino`s
Bamber Bridge v Wath Brow Hornets.

Games to be played on Saturday 10th January 2015

Steve Manning
BARLA Media Manager