A true captain’s innings from James Ralph helped Shropshire recover from a disastrous start to their Minor Counties Championship season.

Shropshire had found themselves in desperate trouble at 17-4 after electing to bat as rain led to a delayed start against Herefordshire at Eastnor.

But Ralph led the counter-attack with 81 as Shropshire closed a shortened day on 200-9.

“We would have taken 200 from the position we were in,” said chairman of selectors Peter Bradley.

“Rudge bowled very well but James Ralph’s innings was exceptional, right from the first ball onwards.

“It was important because it has at least brought us back into the game.”

That any play was possible at all was achievement in itself with heavy rain leaving the outfield saturated.

But patience was rewarded with a 4.30pm start and it was Shropshire who found themselves in desperate trouble early on when pro Andy Gray was dismissed without scoring.

Gray, who got the nod to open ahead of Richard Oliver, fell to a golden duck off the first ball of the match when he gloved a delivery from debutant Will Rudge to wicket-keeper Chris Powell.

It was the dream start for Rudge, and it was to get better for the seamer who was released by Gloucestershire at the end of last season.

He bowled Jono Whitney for a duck with the first ball of his second over, before striking again midway through his third over when Atiq Chishti edged behind.

And when Rob Foster was then adjudged to have given Powell a third catch off Andy Sutton – the ball appearing clip the Shrewsbury all-rounder’s shoulder rather than glove or bat – Shropshire were starring down the barrel.

Ralph, however, joined forces with Oliver to steady the ship, the duo putting on a record fifth wicket partnership against Herefordshire of 116.

Oliver’s 25 was crucial but it was the 81 from Ralph – off 91 balls and including 14 fours and two sixes –which brought Shropshire back into the match.

Both were bowled by Rudge as Shropshire lost three wickets for nine runs, Sutton claiming his second wicket when he bowled Anthony Parker – the fourth Shropshire player to be dismissed without scoring.

Bruce Thomason’s run-a-ball 33 took Shropshire up to 200 and, despite two wickets for another debutant Charlie Griffiths,the visitors had hauled themselves back into contention.

Shropshire first innings

Gray c Powell b Rudge 0

Whitney b Rudge 0

Foster c Powell b Sutton 15

Chishti c Powell b Rudge 0

Oliver b Rudge 25

Ralph b Rudge 81

Parker b Sutton 0

Thomason b Griffiths 33

Taylor blw Griffiths 6

Tilt not out 9

Barnard not out 3

Extras (20nb, 2lb, 6b) 28

Total (off 45 overs) for 9 wkts, 200

Fall: 0, 7, 17, 17, 133, 142, 142, 177, 186

Bowling: Rudge 14-4-46-5, Sutton 12-3-39-2, Wedge 10-1-5-30, Borough 5-0-38-0, Griffiths 4-1-16-2