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Usk begin with winning draw against local rivals Panteg
For Usk's first match of the season Panteg won the toss and rightly inserted the hosts on a slightly damp pitch. The top order built a solid platform with new captain, Neil Perrett (29), and Kunal Khanna (34) taking Usk to 95-1 in the 29th over. Unfortunately Usk did not capitalise on this position and, but for Adam Cowperthwaite's quickfire, unbeaten 26, would have struggled to post their eventual total of 188-9. The pick of Panteg's bowlers were Bird and Harris with three wickets each.
Panteg's innings followed much a similar path to Usk's with the top order keeping wickets in hand ready or a late assault on an ever improving wicket as the sunshine and breezy conditions helped dry the pitch. However some tight bowlingfrom spinners Mike Jones and Kunal Khanna in the middle overs helped to raise the required run rate. As Panteg entered the last ten oversthey were still well placed to reach their target of 189; needing 62 with 7 wickets in hand. However, Panteg's top five, all of whom got starts, failed to go on to make significant contributions. With debutant, Sean Moore, and Huw Waters both giving away next to nothing at the death - all of the Usk bowlers were economical - Panteg required an unlikely 21 from the last over for victory. It was never really on and Panteg's innings closed on 170-7. Ultimately, Usk bowled and fielded very well to prevent Panteg taking victory, especially as the wicket had improved as the day went on. Usk managed to walk away with 15 points to the visitors' 9. A promising performance from Usk; the firsts will go into next week's match at Pentyrch taking a great many positives from this opener.
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