Usk 2nds denied by the weather

With the 1st XI’s game away to Tondu being abandoned on Saturday, focus switched to the 2nd XI’s fixture at home to Miskin Manor. Usk looked set for a comprehensive victory, but adverse weather came to the visitor’s rescue.

On a grey, overcast day at the Athletic Club ground Jimmy Spencer won the toss and elected to bat. This proved a wise move as the openers took the attack to the Miskin bowling. Owen Watkins and Tom Lee put on 91 for the first wicket. At this score Watkins fell for a destructive 53. His knock had included 8 fours and 1 six. The Usk top order continued to score apace. Top scorer Lee, who had played the anchor roll for the hosts, was fourth to go for 57, which had included 7 fours. At this point Usk found themselves 179-4 in the 24th over. Hence, the middle order went berserk. Dominic Rees smashed an unbeaten 40 (including 3 maximums), Spencer 33, and Richie Rees 23 not out. After 31 overs Usk had reached 273-5. Mindful of the forecast, Spencer sensibly declared to try to force a result. The Miskin bowling figures made painful reading. Only Gehler with three wickets gained respectability.

Miskin’s reply got off to the worst possible start, with Lee and Watkins, each bagging an opener for a duck. The innings became a war of attrition for Miskin. Usk picked up the next two wickets in the 11th and 21st overs as Miskin dug in, with Lee gaining a second and Julian Smith the other. However, with conditions deteriorating, the players left the field in the 28th over never to return. Although disappointing for the hosts that they were unable to force a victory, this game at least enabled the 2nd XI to put in what was their best performance of the season.