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Barrett's brilliance in vain as Thirds lose to Ponthir
On Sunday the 3rd XI played only their second match of the season. On a beautiful, sunny day at the Athletic club ground they lost by 6 wickets to a powerful Ponthir side.
Gavin Pugh, skipper for the day, won the toss and decided to have a bat. The hosts began circumspectly as they put on 20 for the first wicket. However, the innings then suffered a major collapse as they lost 4 wickets in 7 overs. At 47-4 in the 15th over, Usk had plenty to do. Fortunately Richie Barrett was still there and batting nicely. Alan Egerton then came in and importantly held up an end while Barrett continued to play his strokes. With Egerton senior departing in the 23rd over with the score at 82, Dave Egerton came in to join Barrett. This was the last wicket to fall. Barrett began to go through the gears and take the attack to Ponthir. He brought up a deserved maiden century for Usk with a colossal six over long on. Barrett finished with an unbeaten 111, which had included 10 fours and 3 sixes. Egerton junior also played a useful hand scoring 30 not out. Usk finished on 176-5 from their allocated 40 overs. The sixth wicket had realised 96.
Ponthir’s reply got off to a poor start as Jack Stedman picked up a couple of early wickets. With the score at 25-2, Usk were on top. Unfortunately this was as good as it got for the hosts. With Usk failing to cling on to some sharp chances, Norman (71*) and Buffery (67) took Ponthir most of the way to the finish line. Kris Gilling bowled Buffery and Ross Price picked up a wicket to add some respectability, but Norman, with a beautifully constructed innings, kept his cool and ensured that the visitors reached their target in the penultimate over. Stedman was the pick of the Usk bowlers with figures of 7-1-22-2 and was unlucky not have more success.
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