Clubs all set to mount cup campaigns.

TOMORROW is Sykes Cup day, when all 30 Drakes League clubs - and two from the Arrow Central League - embark on what they all hope will be a long and successful run.

For those getting through to the quarter and semi-finals, where they may be handed a home tie, it can prove lucrative.

There are any number of fascinating clashes in this season's first round, with four of the 16 all-Premiership meetings.

Last season's beaten finalists and league champions Honley face a tricky visit to promoted Barkisland, who having strengthened, could well pose a few problems for the visitors.

Barkisland are again skippered by PaulWinrow, a quality player, and have recruited the experienced DaveWeston, who has been involved in many battles with Honley, and Darren Robinson, who enjoyed a good debut against Emley last Saturday, when he scored an unbeaten 47 and took three wickets.

And with a player of Andrew Fraine's ability coming in to bat as low as No9, Barkisland have plenty of depth to their batting, while their bowling attack is not to be sniffed at.

New recruits Love Ablish and Robinson join Tinashe Panyangara in the pace department, with Matt Steers providing the spin option. Honley, of course, boast an excellent cup pedigree, having won the trophy twice in succession in 2005 and 2006, before being toppled by Skelmanthorpe.

Lascelles Hall entertain Emley and Micklehurst are at home to Shelley, with the home sides favourites to progress.

But the fourth all-Premiership tie, between Meltham and Holmfirth, is hard to call.

Skipper Carl Jump guided Holmfirth to a runaway Cedar Court Conference title triumph last summer, and they opened up with a win, albeit narrow, over Shelley last Saturday.

Having struggled to 122-9, largely thanks to Javed Iqbal junior's unbeaten 38, they looked to be heading for defeat when last man John Andrew hoisted a couple of fours for Shelley, leaving them needing just four more runs for victory.

But new Holmfirth keeper Roy Collins proved his worth by stumping Andrew off Javed junior's bowling to seal the win.

Ibrar Hussain hit 80-odd against Treeton last Sunday in the Cockspur Cup before the tie was rained off, so Holmfirthwill head toMean Lanewith a certain amount of confidence.

Cup holders Skelmanthorpe go to Slaithwaite while Golcar head for Armitage Bridge.

One of the hardest-fought ties could come at Linthwaite, where Arrow Central League champions Hoylandswaine are the visitors.

They have a number of players with Drakes League experience, namely Danny Mulhall who was a six-wicket performer last week, Ian Simon, who previously played for Kexborough, and ex-Scholes man Scott Marsh.

And it will be interesting to see how Scholes go at Cedar Court Conference rivals Broad Oak.

ROMIDA SYKES CUP

First round: Almondbury v Hall Bower, Armitage Bridge v Golcar, Barkisland v Honley, Broad Oak v Scholes, Delph & Dobcross v Paddock, Kexborough v Shepley, Kirkburton v Rastrick, Kirkheaton v Marsden, Lascelles Hall v Emley Clarence, Lepton Highlanders v Elland, Linthwaite v Hoylandswaine, Meltham v Holmfirth, Micklehursts v Shelley, Primrose Hill v Clayton West, Slaithwaite v Skelmanthorpe, Thongsbridge v Thornhill & Westborough

SPECTRUM INTERIORS PADDOCK SHIELD

First round: Clayton West v Lepton Highlanders, Elland v Armitage Bridge, Emley Clarence v Delph & Dobcross, Golcar v Primrose Hill, Hall Bower v Kexborough, Holmfirth v Barkisland, Honley v Broad Oak, Hoylandswaine v Micklehurst, Marsden v Almondbury, Paddock v Meltham, Rastrick v Thongsbridge, Scholes v Slaithwaite, Shelley v Lascelles Hall, Shepley v Linthwaite, Skelmanthorpe v Kirkburton, Thornhill & Westborough v Almondbury.

All matches start at 1.30 and clubs are reminded that Monday is the carry-over day should weather have either prevented play starting, or curtailed play tomorrow.

Clubs are reminded that rearranging a tie for a week tomorrow is not an option.