South African ace stars for Ludlow
Ludlow skipper Bryn Simmons says South African bowler Matt Kennedy will be a 'massive' player for his team this year after his opening-day six-wicket haul at home to Bomere Heath.
Kennedy, Ludlow's overseas players, took an impressive 6-20 to help skittle the visitors for 44 in just under 23 overs as his side cruised to a 92-run victory on the first day of the Shropshire County League Premier Division season.
And Simmons said: "He is going to be a massive player for us this season.
"He is a fantastic bowler and he is going to do really good things this year.
"He said on Saturday that he didn't feel like he had much flow and he still took six, so I can't wait to see him when he is feeling good with the ball."
Simmons added that the whole team had performed exceptionally to get off to a winning start in a game which was played in tricky batting conditions.
Bomere Heath won the toss and elected to bowl first, with Ludlow reaching a respectable 136 before being bowled out.
Will Sparrow top-scored for Ludlow with an impressive 67 but Dylan Grinker (32) and skipper Bryn Simmons (11) were the only other home to reach double figures.
Chris Stevens starred with the ball for the visitors, taking 4-46 as Jack Griffiths (2), Ian Simmons (1), Sam Edwards (1), Luke Miles (8), Kennedy (2), Edward Riley (0) and Chris Ammonds (1) all went cheaply.
But Kennedy's charge with the ball helped turn the game on its head while Ian Simmons (3-14) and James Gerritse took (1-10) to contribute to a dominant bowling display.
Kennedy claimed two ducks as he dismissed Henry Dawson (five), Chris Edenborough (one), Ian Gillespie (seven), Rob Dean (0), Chris Stevens (1) and Tom Ellis (0) for single figures.
Todd Cornehls top scored for the visitors with just 13.
Meanwhile, Reman Services bowler Shane Gwilt was even more prolific with the ball, taking 6-14 to help guide his team to a 210-run home win against newly-promoted Newtown.
Skipper Ed Ashlin's unbeaten 130 and Craig Heath's 57 had led the hosts to a strong total of 285-4 declared after Newtown had won the toss and elected to bowl.
And Gwilt's heroics, which included three ducks, saw Newtown shot out for just 75, with Dominic Bradburne and David Laird taking 2-38 and 2-22 respectively.
Cound skipper Joe Yapp also led by example to guide his side to an impressive 74-run home win over Frankton.
Yapp's 89 was the outstanding score as Cound made 236-7. There was also an unbeaten half-century from James Owen.
And he then took 3-43 to help remove Frankton for 162. Andy Harrison also played a big role, taking 3-27.
Jason Brookes top scored with 46 but Frankton batted just 36.4 overs of their reply.
