From The Pavilion

This Season’s Draw
At last count 49 of the 81 teams accepted our invitation. This means the top 32 ranked sides of those who accepted were included the draw. Apologies to the 17 of you who didn’t make it, but all are eligible to enter this season’s Youth Plate.

In the draw are seven team from Youth 1.1; 11 from the second tier; and the remaining 14 from the third. We have all five of the previous winners from the first to last season's: The WaddiWallas; Spinney Wanderers; Chester Ducks; Staindrop Lordies; and Cork City Cobra's.

We also have four teams competing for the first time: Balls Deep; Blazing Dragons Cricket Club; Justhititfor6; and The Gaelic Pingers.

Welcome to them and good luck to everyone.

Note: Rankings used are as of the start of the season.

Top Quarter

Round of 32
#008 Marching On Together ( Youth 3.3 ) vs. #018 Weston Super Mud CC ( Youth 2.1 ) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0]
#040 Dunbrody CC ( Youth 3.1 ) vs.#003 kato xi ( Youth 1.1 ) [Youth Rivalry: 0-1] [Youth Cup Rivalry: 0-1]
#014 The New Originals ( Youth 2.2 ) vs. #032 Balls Deep ( Youth 3.4 ) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0]
#004 Donna's Kebabs ( Youth 1.1 ) vs. #035 Meeting Mr Miandad ( Youth 3.4 ) [Youth Rivalry: 6-12]

The first quarter is heavily laden with four of the top ten ranked teams. All four are kept apart in the first round but Weston Super Mud CC provide testing opposition to Marching On Together. Last year's finalist kato xi face Dunbrody CC.

Second Quarter

Round of 32
#006 Cork City Cobra's ( Youth 1.1 ) vs. #019 Spinney Wanderers ( Youth 2.2 ) [Youth Rivalry: 16-8]
#010 Rebel Spinners ( Youth 2.2 ) vs. #024 Shaktar Senseless ( Youth 1.1 ) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0]
#036 Celtic Wolves ( Youth 3.3 ) vs. #037 Billericay Bluebirds ( Youth 2.2 ) [Youth Rivalry: 5-9]
#012 Ella XI ( Youth 2.2 ) vs. #002 The WaddiWallas ( Youth 1.1 ) [Youth Rivalry: 2-0]

The second quarter has four of top-ten ranked and three previous winners, including the holders Cork City Cobra's who have a tricky matchup against season 60 champions Spinney Wanderers. Inaugural winners, the WaddiWallas, also have a tough draw against the Ella XI; but the tightest matchup looks to be between Celtic Wolves and Billericay Bluebirds who were ranked just one place apart at the end of last season.

Third Quarter

Round of 32
#021 Staindrop Lordies ( Youth 1.1 ) vs. #022 Blwe Scavengerz ( Youth 2.1 ) [Youth Rivalry: 5-2]
#030 Ballingeary Lakers ( Youth 2.1 ) vs. #007 The Hurlutown Partnership ( Youth 3.4 ) [Youth Rivalry: 5-2]
#034 Woodlands CC ( Youth 2.1 ) vs. #025 Applewood Crossing ( Youth 3.1 ) [Youth Rivalry: 2-1]
#001 Vegas Venoms ( Youth 1.1 ) vs. #028 Royal Eleven ( Youth 3.4 ) [Youth Rivalry: 0-0]

Despite being a division apart, previous winners and top tier Staindrop Lordies were ranked only one place about division two Blwe Scavengerz. #1 Vegas Venoms begin there run for the title against the Royal Eleven and The Hurlutown Partnership are the other top-ten side in this quarter travel to Ballingeary to play the Lakers.

Bottom Quarter

Round of 32
#041 Dublin Devils ( Youth 3.2 ) vs. #020 Chester Ducks ( Youth 3.2 ) [Youth Rivalry: 3-2]
#027 Justhititfor6 ( Youth 3.1 ) vs. #029 The Cross Lances ( Youth 2.1 ) [Youth Rivalry: 9-5]
#033 kilkenny ( Youth 3.4 ) vs. #038 Blazing Dragons Cricket Club ( Youth 3.3 ) [Youth Rivalry: 1-0]
#026 Corleone ( Youth 2.1 ) vs. #016 The Gaelic Pingers ( Youth 3.2 ) [Youth Rivalry: 0-1]

This is the open quarter with no top ten teams involved. Chester Ducks have won the cup before but The Gaelic Pingers, Corleone, Justhititfor6, The Cross Lances and kilkenny if not more will all have hopes of reaching the semi-final spot and then who knows.