BOLTON clubs have been handed a favourable draw for the first round of the Thwaites Cricket Knockout competition.

Seven of them have been drawn at home while most of the remaining five clubs having to travel face reasonable opposition.

Bolton sides dominated last year's event with Walkden beating another Bolton League side, Kearsley, in the final at Old Trafford,

Walkden's first defence is at home against Blackpool Palace Shield side Penwortham from Preston but Kearsley face more difficult opposition having to meet top Liverpool Competition side Northern at home.

Former winners Tonge begin their campaign with a home game against one of last season's surprise teams Great Eccleston, who claimed a couple of notable scalps before eventually losing out to Kearsley.

Horwich are also at home, meeting Lancashire County League side Denton West but the other Bolton League sides have to travel.

Greenmount go to Ainsdale while Bradshaw face Croston and Astley Bridge go to Merseyside to take on Moorfield.

Bolton Association sides Spring View and Atherton are both at home to Ribblesdale League sides. Champions Spring View meet Settle and Atherton entertain Read while Little Hulton are at home to Glossop from the Lancashire County League.

The unlucky side from the Association are Walshaw, who face a testing trip to Wirral side Wallasey.

Outside of the two Bolton leagues, the top tie of the first round involves Leigh. They finished runners-up in the Liverpool Competition and have been drawn at home to play champions Bootle.