Graeme, is the matter with the original Cradle the problem of having very poor start provinces? The Version I have been using is Zen's modified Cradle (in Yarnspinners), and it fixes such problems if memory serves.
Deccan, if your Pretender will not change (depending on the map for example), feel free to email it to me. Longbows are a good value, but then, I am too fond of archers. And yes, we did the same in a SEIV rated game (outside KOTH, as KOTH games must be played on PBW according to the rules; Asmala might have been a tad suspicious if we had done our game while PBW was offline).