Dermot McGrath, the man who has led East Bierley to a unique three-successive Sovereign Healthcare Priestley Cup triumphs, will be a notable absentee for the start of their defence of the trophy.

McGrath is working and misses the first round encounter at Division Two outfit Drighlington tomorrow.

The side, which is also expected to be without the Yorkshire trio of Anthony McGrath, Gavin Hamilton and Michael Lumb, will be captained by all-rounder Robert Burton.

East Bierley hope to have their Pakistani all-rounder Jaffer Nazir spearheading their attack.

Bierley's cricket chairman Ben Hemming said: "We want to win the cup for a fourth year but we know we have to guard against complacency.

"Bowling Old Lane gave us a tough time in a first round tie a couple of years ago and we know we cannot take anything for granted."

One of the key figures in establishing East Bierley as a dominant force in recent Priestley Cup history sets out on a new chapter in his distinguished career tomorrow.

All-rounder Murphy Walwyn, the man who has won many a tight cup tie with either his swashbuckling batting or aggressive bowling, plays for league newboys Woodlands in their first ever cup clash against Bowling Old Lane.

Fellow new boys Mirfield face a testing cup baptism at home to Division One side Brighouse. They will have to contain the menace of Brighouse's newly arrived overseas star Faisal Afridi.

Another overseas player who will be hoping to make an early impression on the competition is Undercliffe's Pakistan paceman Mohammad Akram, who faces Division Two side Esholt.

Champions Pudsey Congs, who are being hotly-tipped for cup success this season, will give a delayed debut to left arm spinner Glenn Roberts against Division Two side Keighley.

He has had to complete a five-match suspension, imposed when he was playing in the Huddersfield League for Slaithwaite last season.

His return compensates Congs for the loss of all-rounder James Middlebrook who is in the Yorkshire squad for the Benson & Hedges Cup clash against Lancashire at Liverpool.

Tie of the round will be fought out at Moorend where Cleckheaton tackle fellow Division One side Farsley. Cleckheaton have a greater strength to their bowling this season and new skipper Paul Booth will be hoping that they can contain a Farsley side which looks strong in batting.