HOLDERS Ilkley Thirds, who won the Aire-Wharfe Cup in controversial circumstances last April, kick off their defence at Bradford & Bingley Seconds in the first round tonight.

The final against Old Otliensians at Stacks Field was still level after extra time, with Otliensians thinking they had won it as the away side.

Yet competition organiser John Riley, wanting skill to decide the outcome, ruled that both sides should take shots at goal, with Otliensians missing all four while Ilkley were successful with two.

First-round draw: Wharfedale-3 v Baildon, Yarnbury-2 v West Leeds-2, West Park Leeds-2 v Otley-2, Bradford & Bingley-2 v Ilkley-3, Keighley-2 bye, Old Otliensians v Bramley Phoenix, Roundhegians-2 v Aireborough, Skipton v Bradford Salem-2.