James magnificent as Usk crush Crossy

Ollie James was in great all-round form as the firsts won by 48 runs away to neighbours Croesyceiliog

At Crossy, the hosts won the toss and inserted Usk on a dry wicket. This proved an unwise move as Ian Clayton and Ollie James got off to a flying start. The duo had brought up 61 in the 10th over, before Clayton departed for a whirlwind 43. Ollie James, as has been his wont recently, took on the anchor role, whilst others played around him. With Mike Jones (36) 75 was put on for the third wicket, and with Neil Perrett (35) a further 76 was posted for the fourth wicket. When Perrett fell, Usk were on 245 with 5 overs to go. As Usk sought quick runs, James was finally dismissed for a masterful 109. His innings had included 13 fours. A quickfire 20 from Tom Lee ensured that Usk reached 280-7 from their 50 overs. For Crossy, Bakari and Beacham each picked up three wickets.

Crossy’s reply got off to a laboured start, as Huw Waters put in a miserly spell, picking up a wicket in the 9th over. Tom Robinson then came on first change and experienced success in his first over to help reduce the Crossy to 35-2. It was at this stage that Bakari joined J Jones and the pair scored freely taking the score up to 101-2 in the 18th over. At this score, James then removed Jones for 48. With no other Crossy batsman getting away, it fell to Bakari to take on Usk on his own. His brave resistance kept Crossy in the hunt for a while, but with the run rate escalating, it became a question of whether the hosts could hold out for a draw. However, they had not counted on Ollie James the bowler. James capped a fine all-round performance by removing the lower order and taking the vital wicket of Bakari. Bakari had made a valiant 102, which included 12 fours and 3 sixes. It was fitting that when James took the final wicket it brought up figures of 8.5-0-53-5, and sealed an Usk victory with 13 balls to spare. It cannot be very often that a cricketer scores a century and takes 5 wickets in a Premier league match.