Ralph is relishing playing the lead role with Madeley

The experienced former Shropshire batsman will skipper the Park Street outfit following his winter switch from league rivals Quatt.

After a disappointing end to his time with Quatt, which saw the side finish runners-up twice in the Premier Division and lose in last summer’s end-of-season shootout for silverware, Ralph was keen captain a club side again following successful stints with the county side and Bridgnorth.

“I have moved to Broseley and my friend Matt Tilt, who I played with for Shropshire, joined Madeley last year and I was looking for a new challenge,” said Ralph. “I have wanted to captain a side. My only stints as captain were for Shropshire and Bridgnorth. I enjoyed that year at Bridgnorth, we got promoted and I don’t think we lost a game.

“It was something I wanted to do again at club level.

“I was disappointed with how things ended at Quatt and being asked not to play the last few games as I was hoping to win league after finishing runners-up twice.

“It will be a challenge going from a club like Quatt where we were probably favourites to win every week, to a side where we will probably be the underdogs. But it will be a nice challenge to have.

“The aim is to just be competitive, be stronger in game situations, make the opposition have to work hard but mainly to get a group together that will enjoy cricket on the field and be a tight unit off it socially.”

“We have good experience in the side with Matthew Tilt and Andrew Lloyd as well as Martin Boyle spearheading the attack.”

Ralph has added to his options by recruiting batsman Kelvin Rodgerson and all-rounder Kieran Osbourn from Broseley.

Ludlow skipper Louis Watkins is hoping his men will shine this summer and add to the feelgood factor surrounding the club.

Watkins leads his troops into action at Newport on Saturday in their opening Henshalls Shropshire County Cricket League clash of the season. And he will be looking to build on a positive build up to the campaign that has seen the Burway Lane club install a new three-lane net facility and welcome back former England and Yorkshire batsman Bill Athey as coach.

“Off the field it has been good for us,” said Watkins. “The nets are done and Bill is in control of the coaching.

“Everything is positive and we have had good numbers at training the last few weeks.

“Everyone is looking forward to the new season and we want to be in the top half competing.

“It will be a team effort. We have got some good players who have been around the scene.

“We are happy with the squad we have and the availability seems to be good at the moment.”