THE draw has been made for this season's Cross Cup.

Seven matches will take place in the first round with one club, Edgworth, handed a bye.

The games must be played by July 2 and will take place on days when both teams do not already have a game.

The oldest cricket cup competition in Lancashire and one of the oldest in the world has been revived after one year without it being played for.

Fifteen clubs have entered, all of whom have played in the competition in the past when they were members of the now suspended Bolton and District Cricket Association.

There are seven clubs from the Bolton League – Darcy Lever, Eagley, Daisy Hill, Adlington, Blackrod, Little Hulton and Golborne – seven from the Greater Manchester League – Roe Green, Flixton, Elton, Walshaw, Astley and Tyldesley, Clifton and Edgworth – and Spring View from the Liverpool Competition.

The driving force behind the return of the competition is former Bolton Association umpire and stalwart Eric Hogg who said there had been a positive response from clubs to the idea of playing for the cup again.

"We've had a great response to the idea of bringing back the Cross Cup," he said.

"We contacted clubs to see if they would be interested in playing for it again and only one said they didn't want to.

"Nearly everyone thinks it should be played for and not stuck away in a museum, so hopefully it will be a good competition.

"The clubs come from different leagues now and they will be playing against some different opposition to who they are used to playing week in week out.

"They were all pleased to be asked and they all sounded very positive about it.

"We have asked them to play their best sides and they can pick any players as long as they are registered with the club including pros and overseas.

"I was really heartened by the positive response the idea got when all the clubs met at Little Hulton Cricket Club to discuss it at the end of March.

"It could be a step in the right direction if everyone takes it seriously and goes all out to win it.

"And it gives clubs the chance of earning a bit of money over the bar

"I wanted it back because you can't just put history into a museum if there is a possibility of keeping it going and enjoying the game.

"The final of the Cross Cup has always been a great occasion. In the past clubs have been so proud to be in the final and have taken it so seriously. You can't lose that.

"One person said his proudest moment in cricket was lifting the Cross Club."

The competition will be 45 overs with no bowler allowed to bowl more than nine overs and a result has to be achieved on the day

A bowl-out will take place if the weather does not permit any play.

The first-round draw is:

Darcy Lever v Roe Green

Flixton v Elton

Eagley v Daisy Hill

Walshaw v Astley and Tyldesley

Adlington v Blackrod

Spring View v Clifton

Little Hulton v Golborne

Edgworth have a bye

Games must be played by July 2.