FARNWORTH will play Denton West in a re-run of this year's controversial Lancashire Knockout final in next season's first round.
The two teams will meet at Farnworth on Sunday, May 21, when the Bolton League side will be looking for revenge after narrowly losing this year's final.
Arguments ensued after last month's game at Middleton Cricket Club with Farnworth claiming a crucial rule had not been applied which, if it had, would have given them a fairly straightforward victory.
The umpires' decision not to reduce the number of overs Greater Manchester League side Denton West could bat for after they had been 18 minutes too slow with their bowling left a sour taste in the mouths of Farnworth and the wider Bolton League camp.
The clash of the two sides so early in next year's competition will be intriguing and all eyes will be on whether the bowling time limit rule will be applied by the umpires if either side bowls slowly.
It is the standout tie of the round involving Bolton clubs of whom eight others will be competing.
The Bolton League will be represented by seven clubs other than Farnworth – Bolton League champions Farnworth Social Circle, Walkden, Westhoughton, Horwich, Bradshaw, Kearsley and Lostock – with Egerton of the Greater Manchester League also in action.
Full draw:
The Lancashire Knockout first round:
Fulwood & Broughton v Chorley
Burnley v Settle
Horwich v Bradshaw
Rainford v Vertex or Cherry Tree
Egerton v Great Eccleston
Todmorden v Freckleton
Formby v Hindley St Peters or Lytham
Fleetwood v Littleborough
Clitheroe v Kearsley
Croston v Whalley
Longridge v Euxton
Nelson v Rainhill
Farnworth Social Circle v Glodwick
Great Harwood v Lowerhouse
Rochdale v Walkden
Westhoughton v Flixton
Ramsbottom v Glossop
Penwortham v Crompton
Farnworth v Denton West
Firwood Bootle v East Lancashire
Leyland v Bury
Lostock v Clifton
Kendal v Church
Oswaldtwistle Immanuel or Star Eleven v Read
Leigh v Denton St Lawrence
Haslingden v Greenfield
Northern v Ormskirk
Vernon Carus v Preston
Walsden v Barrow
Norden v Netherfield
Blackpool v Garstang or Prescot & Odyssey
Prestwich v Saddleworth
The competition, supported by LWC Drinks Ltd, took place on Monday, October 11, at Emirates Old Trafford.
Sixty-eight clubs from 10 leagues qualified to take part and the draw was made during the LCB recreation committee meeting by LCB managing director Bobby Denning and chairman Bob Hinchliffe with league representatives in attendance.
Paul Bryson, LCB clubs and leagues manager, said: “The LCB Knockout Cup is getting stronger and stronger every year, and in 2017 there will be 68 clubs taking part. This is largest ever coming from 10 leagues, with the 2016 league champions being seeded for the first time in the competition.
“It promises to deliver some great games along the way to the final on Sunday, September 3, 2017.”
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