Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions' Trophy holders Woodlands and JCT600 Bradford League rivals Pudsey Congs, who contested the 2007 final, will be kept apart in the draw for next season's first round.

The Black Sheep management committee have decided to introduce a seeding system and also agreed to use fielding circles in the competition for the first time in 2008.

Under the new system, the eight top-seeded teams will not only be kept apart in the first round but will all face away ties against the champions of the eight unseeded leagues.

Holders Woodlands will be seeded, along with Pudsey Congs (JCT 600 Bradford League runners-up), Collingham (Aire-Wharfe champions), Honley (Huddersfield), Townville (Central Yorkshire), Elsecar (South Yorkshire), York (Yorkshire League) and Clifton Alliance (York & District Senior).

The minnows' having a home tie against a top-eight side is designed to generate additional interest in the competition.

The eight unseeded teams who will have home ties in round one are: Hepworth & Idle (Bradford Central), Cullingworth (Craven), Hull YPI (EPI East Yorkshire), Mytholmroyd (Halifax), Caribbean (Leeds-West Riding), Killinghall (Nidderdale), Streethouse (Pontefract) and Church Fenton (Wetherby).

The introduction of the 30-yard fielding circle means that teams will not be allowed more than two players outside the circle for the first 15 overs.

After that they must have the bowler, wicketkeeper and four fielders inside the circle. A maximum of five fielders will be allowed outside the circle after the 15th over.