BARBADIAN fast bowler Ruel Brathwaite took three wickets on his Ludlow debut but it wasn’t enough to secure an opening day victory at Madeley in the Shropshire League Premier Division.

The 31-year-old has played for both Durham and Hampshire and represented Barbados at junior level and he wasted little time in making his mark, dismissing Madeley opener Andrew Laycock with just eight runs on the board.

Brathwaite finished with 3-32 and Ludlow skipper Will Sparrow is hopeful the pace ace can bring the best from his young side.

“Ruel is a high calibre player who has played at a very good level,” the captain explained. “In the past we have brought in a younger overseas player but Ruel has the experience we need with it being such a young side.

“There’s no doubt he will take wickets as a strike bowler but we think he can also bring the best out of those around him.”

Louis Watkins also took 3-32 as Madeley held on at 160-9 to claim a losing draw. Peter Griffiths and Sam Edwards took the other wickets.

Earlier, having been put into bat, Ludlow were all out for 190. They made a solid start with Luke Miles (25) leading the way while Jack Griffiths (23), Sparrow (22) and Edwards (20) all chipped in with runs.

But the final five wickets fell for 32 leaving Gareth Parker (16no) on his own at the close.

It was a day to forget for Church Stretton in Division Two as they crashed to a 254-run defeat at Pontesbury.

The home side sped to 348-6 from their 45 overs with Matthew Cudmore hitting 113 and Mike Bellamore bludgeoning his way to 87, 80 of which came from boundaries. On a difficult day for the Stretton bowlers, Todd Cornehls took 2-57 from 12 overs.

In reply, just two batsmen managed to reach double figures as Stretton were skittled out for 94. Skipper Peter Lee hit 24 while Cornehls added an unbeaten 26 as the wickets fell around them.

Division Two neighbours Bishop's Castle lost by two wickets at home to Willey in a low-scoring encounter.

Batting first, the home side reached 122-7 from their 40 overs with Richard Fifield (31) leading the way. Some impressive bowling from Paul Cottrell (4-38) had Willey in trouble before they scrambled to victory with just one ball to spare.

And there was disappointment for Corvedale in Division Three as they went down by 110 runs to Harpers.

Put into bat, the visitors notched up 200 all out with Harry Aldridge and Sher Muhammad Zahid taking three wickets apiece.

Corvedale found runs hard to come by in reply with Andrew Mawdsley leading the way with an unbeaten 20 but they were all out for 90.