Western Counties champions Willow Cuts will defend their title against challengers Southampton Rangers in the first round of the 44-year-old competition at White Hill Field on July 1.

Cuts first round opponents were confirmed during the Western Counties Cricket Association (WCCA) AGM held earlier this week at Warwick Workmen?s Club.

However, organisers could find themselves in a spot of bother should Cuts successfully defend their crown against Rangers. The cup holders are due to tour to Toronto on July 11, four days prior to the second round where Warwick await the eventual winner of the July 1 clash.

In any case, WCCA officials remain optimistic an alternative date can be arranged.

This year?s hosts, Somerset Bridge, have been drawn in the third round to be played on August 12 while last year?s beaten finalists PHC will feature in the final round on August 26.

WCCA vice president Randy Raynor, secretary Kim Jackson and assistant secretary/treasurer Michael Watson also all retained their executive positions during this week?s well-attended AGM.

President Gary Dowling and treasurer Vernell Brown?s positions were not up for election this year.

Raynor is a former Somerset Cup Match and Southampton Rangers fast bowler.

?It feels very good to still be a part of the team and I look forward to helping to make the Western Counties a better organisation,? said Raynor, who bagged three St.George?s wickets during his Cup Match debut at Wellington Oval in 1976.

He was also a member of Rangers? all-conquering squad that made a clean sweep of domestic league and cup honours in 1980.

WCCA will hold the second annual Kenneth (Mickey) Thompson Super Sevens at White Hill Field next Saturday.

Raynor reminded all participating teams to be present at the ground no later than 8a.m. for the draw.

?Last year no team was dismissed under 50 runs, and so this year we look forward to even more exciting cricket at White Hill Field,? he added. ?All of this summer?s counties matches will be held at White Hill Field because the environment is more spacious and the overall atmosphere is great.?

Raynor is also delighted to see numbers increase at matches.

?It has been great to see the numbers steadily increase over the years in which we have witnessed some very exciting cricket,? he added.

Last year?s final saw Cuts defeat cup holders PHC by one wicket in near darkness at White Hill Field and the cup change hands on three occasions for the second straight year.

?Although some of our representatives play in different divisions, they all seem to raise their game when it comes time for county cup,? Raynor said.

The draw for the Western Junior Counties cup competition will be held in May.

The Western Counties were formed in 1962, with Willow Cuts emerging as inaugural champions after defeating Southampton Rangers by an innings at Somerset Cricket Club.

The cup itself was donated by late Somerset Cup Match skipper Warren Simmons.

The popular mid-summer competition was originally played for over two innings, however that format was later changed to 60 and finally 50 overs in the early 1990s.

In 1982 Rangers? Lee Raynor Sr became the first ever batsmen to score 1,000 in the competition while Cuts? Gladwin Edness is the only batsmen ever to score a double century, having achieved the feat in the late 1980s.

Former Somerset Cup Match and Western Stars middle order bat Jeff Richardson holds the colt?s batting record (186) for the highest individual score, achieved while representing Somerset Bridge as a guest player at Southampton Oval in 1992.

In 1969 Cuts? bowler David Smith seized nine wickets for 111 runs while Rangers and St.George?s Cup Match all-rounder Eldon Raynor took 86 wickets between 1962 and 1982.

Rangers? great Sheridan Raynor is the only batsman ever to score three centuries in the competition, including an unbeaten 156 in 1965.

In 1966 Raynor put on a record 218 runs for the third wicket along with brother Lee.