EDGWORTH will break new ground in this year's Lancashire Cricket Knockout when they take on a team from the Isle of Man. They were drawn away to Manx League champions Valkyres but under the rules of the competition the match has to be played on the mainland.

"We always knew we would have to travel so that doesn't disappoint us in any way," said Valkyres player Paul Speller.

"We just have to decide whether we come over for the one match or whether we can incorporate it into something of a mini-tour with games against other clubs as well."

Valkyres won the Standard Bank League title for the second successive season in 1998 to earn their place in the Knockout. It is the first time a place has been given to a team from the Island and Valkyres are keen not to disappoint.

"It will be interesting to compare our standard against that of a league team but we are looking forward to the experience. "We only have limited knowledge of cricket on the mainland, mainly when some of our players were at university, but we are confident we can give a good account of ourselves."

Eleven sides from the Bolton area are involved in the first round of the competition, which was won last year by Westhoughton.

They begin the defence of their title with a home game against Northern League side Leyland Daf, while Greenmount are at home to Bootle, the side Westhoughton beat in last season's final at Old Trafford.

Bolton League champions Tonge have a tough draw away to Merseyside club Widnes while Heaton and Egerton also have to travel. Heaton go to Ribblesdale side Clitheroe and Egerton meet Penwortham from the Palace Shield but Bradshaw have a home draw against Denton.

Association champions Adlington are drawn away to Preston side Vernon Carus who reached the semi-final of the competition two years ago while Golborne go to Ribblesdale Wanderers. Atherton and Elton both have the advantage of home ties, Elton taking on Cherry Tree from the Ribblesdale League while Atherton appear to have a much tougher hurdle when they go to Northern League side Kendal.

The ties are due to be played on Sunday, May 16.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.