SIX local clubs have plenty to complain about as they go into the first round of the Thwaites Lancashire Knockout tomorrow.

They are the teams that have been drawn against each other and although there is always the theory of better the devil you know, clubs are mainly attracted to this competition because it gives them the chance to pit their wits against sides from other leagues.

Walkden and Astley Bridge are the two Bolton League sides that face each other tomorrow at the Oval, ironically 24 hours after they met in a league match at Sharples Park.

Yet if the Bolton League are disappointed that the draw means one of their clubs going out of the competition at the first hurdle, the Association have double trouble.

Two matches involve four of their teams with Walshaw entertaining Litttle Hulton and Adlington playing hosts to Atherton .

"It's a shame really that two of the Association clubs will be going out at such an early stage," said Walshaw chairman Keith Harris.

"You would have thought that the draw would be seeded to keep sides from the same league apart, especially in the first couple of rounds."

And to make matters worse, whichever side goes through, they could face a second round tie against another Bolton side - trophy holders Tonge, provided they overcome Ribblesdale League outfit Blackburn Northern.

Tonge have the players to negotiate that tricky first hurdle but home advantage can be worth a few runs or even a couple of wickets, although the Bolton outfit will have done their homework on the East Lancashire side.

Of the other League sides, Eagley have to travel to Liverpool Manweb, although Westhoughton, Farnworth Social Circle and Kearsley all have home ties.

Westhoughton entertain Skelmersdale, Circle welcome Dukinfield while Kearsley meet Wigan side Norley Hall.

The other Association sides involved in the competition are Clifton, at home to Woodbank, and Golborne, who entertain Great Eccleston.