THORNBURY have been given a potentially testing start to their defence of the Pool Paper Mills Cup in the Dales Council League.

The Bradford club, who also won Division A in 2022, are at home to Halifax Direct, who finished sixth in the top flight, in a first-round derby on Sunday, May 7.

Two other eye-catching ties on the same day are newcomers Meanwood, who have gone straight into Division A, at home to Division A runners-up Interlink, who were beaten in the 2022 final, while Savile Stars, fourth in Division A in 2022, host Division B champions Roundhay.

In the Cawthorne Cup for second teams, holders Thornbury B are at Division C champions Pudsey Congs in the first round, also on Sunday, May 7.

Pool Paper Mills Cup – First round (Sunday, May 7): Thornbury v Halifax Direct, Baildon v Pudsey St Lawrence, Muff Field v Drighlington, Meanwood v Interlink, Savile Stars v Roundhay.

Second round (Sunday, May 28): Muff Field or Drighlington v Savile Stars or Roundhay, Thornbury or Halifax Direct v Leeds Gladiators, Leeds Superkings v Leeds Sikh, Meanwood or Interlink v Woodhouse, Cookridge v Headingley Bramhope, Mayfield v One Stop, Baildon or Pudsey St Lawrence v Shipley Providence, Yorkshire LPS v Leeds Caribbean.

Cawthorne Cup – First round (Sunday, May 7): Calverley St Wilfrid’s v Leeds Caribbean B, Pudsey Congs v Thornbury B, Adel v Drighlington B.

Second round (Sunday, May 21): New Farnley v Calverley St Wilfrid’s or Leeds Caribbean B, Baildon B v Cookridge B, Headingley Bramhope B v Tong Park Esholt, Shipley Providence B v Leeds Sikh B, Adel or Drighlington B v Pudsey Congs or Thornbury B, Mayfield B v Meanwood B, Muff Field B v St Chad’s Broomfield, Rodley v Yorkshire LPS B.