New-boys Shelton put a fight at Quatt

Chad Hitchcock hit 87 as visiting Shelton posted a competitive 193, Craig Jones taking 4-37.

They were well in the hunt when reducing Quatt to 83-5, but Terry Hughes (54 not out) and Jones (30) put on 80 for the sixth wicket to turn the match.

Quatt got home by four wickets despite the efforts of Sam Jones, who claimed 3-28.

The other promoted side, Forton, had a more chastening start when dismissed for just 77 at Frankton.

Openers Luke Adcock (16) and Ross Barton (19) gave them a reasonable start, but the next highest score was six as Michael Eckhard took 6-4.

Frankton lost just three wickets in running down the modest total. No play was possible in Bomere Heath's fixture with Broseley.

Paceman Matthew Kennedy is back in Britain with a bang after grabbing eight wickets for Ludlow.

The South African made it a winning start for his side when claiming 8-19 to dismiss Madeley for just 85.

The 25-year-old played for Ludlow in 2014, but gave Britain a miss last season.

And there were no signs of any hangover from the stress fracture which sidelined him for all of 2012.

Andrew Laycock (29) top-scored for visiting Madeley and was the only man in his side's top eight not to fall to Kennedy, a run out accounting for his wicket.

Dylan Grinker (24 not out) and Harry Martin (22) made sure there were no alarms in Ludlow's reply.

Kennedy wasn't the only South African quick to claim eight wickets – Kerwin Mungroo grabbed 8-40 as Wem successfully defended a low total to beat newly-promoted Albrighton.

Wem, who missed out on the title to Newport last year on head to head record after finishing tied on points, were skittled for 14 as the visitors' Benjamin Novis took 5-47, with Mungroo making 33.

Albrighton were in the box seat after passing 50 for the loss of just two wickets, but Mungroo made an instant impact with the ball as Albrighton were dismissed for 89.

There was another tight game at St Georges, where Sentinel – Reman Services reverting back to their old name – got home by two wickets.

The home side posted 140-9, Stephen Taylor hitting 43 as Aussie spinner Elliot Hitchen took three wickets.

A clatter of early wickets undermined Sentinel's reply, but Mal Serplet's 33 and an unbeaten 27 from Connor Cheshire – an accomplished bat to come in at No 10 – got them home by two wickets.