Craigentinny begin their Cup defence against Dudley

Craigentinny will open their defence of the Specsavers- sponsored Edinburgh Cup against Dudley in the prelim round scheduled for Friday, June 22 and the holders will be campaigning for a record-extending fifth title success in the showcase event of The Edinburgh Bowling League.

Thirty club names were in the hat and the two to receive a bye into the first round proper were Edinburgh West End and Maitland, who will clash on Friday, June 29.

Tanfield have etched their name on the trophy on three occasions and last season’s losing finalists and Division 1 runners-up embark on their latest campaign with a favourites chance against Willowbrae of Division 2.

Pilrig, who were the inaugural Cup champions in 1998 and successful again in 2006, have regained their Division 1 status so will be confident that they can cope with an interesting challenge against Blackhall of Division 2. Leith celebrated Cup success in their memorable 2000 campaign, but are now at a low ebb having just been relegated to Division 2. They could find things tough in their prelim match against Northern of Division 1.

Mayfield sprung a surprise to beat Craigentinny in the final of 2002 and now operate in Division 2 but will fancy their chances of making a good start to their Cup campaign against Liberton of Division 4.

Parkside have come good as a highly-competitive Division 1 side in recent seasons and the Cup champions of 2005 and 2010 should be able to field enough heavy artillery to cope with the challenge of Division 3 side Summerside.

The remainder of the draw is: Brunstane v Wardie; Seafield v Hillside; Queensberry v Goldenacre; Niddrie v Portobello; Dean v London Road Foundry; Lutton Place v Whitehouse and Grange; Corstorphine v Jessfield; and Postal v Merchiston.