DEFENDING champions Thornton will begin their Spenser Wilson Halifax League campaign with an intriguing home match this season.

They open up against Triangle, who were third in the Premier Division last season, on Saturday, April 20.

Oxenhope, who finished sixth in 2018, start with a trip to Copley, who finished a place above the drop zone, while Shelf Northowram Hedge Top’s initial visitors are First Division champions Illingworth St Mary’s.

Cullingworth, bottom of the pile in the Second Division, will be at home to Low Moor Holy Trinity, who finished seventh in the last campaign.

Queensbury, relegated from the First Division, are at Outlane, who finished eighth in the third tier.

The First Division fixtures do not start until April 27, ensuring that the three divisions all finish on September 14.

At the start of the second tier, Clayton (fourth in 2018) host Blackley, Great Horton Park Chapel (third) travel to Second Division runners-up Upper Hopton, and Second Division champions Mount entertain Southowram.

Spenser Wilson Halifax League opening fixtures – Saturday, April 20, Premier Division: Copley v Oxenhope, Illingworth St Mary’s v Shelf Northowram Hedge Top, Mytholmroyd v SBCI, Sowerby Bridge v Booth, Sowerby St Peters v Warley, Thornton v Triangle. Second Division: Cullingworth v Low Moor Holy Trinity, Leymoor v Stones, Luddendenfoot v Greetland, Old Town v Augustinians, Outlane v Queensbury.

Saturday, April 27, First Division: Bridgeholme v Bradshaw, Clayton v Blackley, Mount v Southowram, Upper Hopton v Great Horton Park Chapel.