No Third team news this week, but previously  Usk were thrashed by 172 runs by Lobsters. On a sunny afternoon at the Athletic Club Ground, the visitors won the toss and chose to bat. Although wickets fell at regular intervals the Lobsters scored at a ferocious rate and were dismissed from the last ball of their allocated 40 overs for 303. Amongst the few bowling highlights for Usk were Jack Stedman, who picked up 8-0-51-3, and Ahmed Bapusha, who ended up with 8-0-56-5. For Lobsters Morgan scored an explosive 73, whilst most of their batsmen chipped in with contributions.

Usk’s reply never really got going. Needing to score at around 7.5 runs an over from the word go, the hosts lost a wicket in the first over and never looked like chasing their target. Wickets kept on tumbling as Usk’s run rate escalated. Usk were eventually all out or 131 in the 29th over. The only real resistance came from Richie Rees (28) and Spencer (22*).

On Monday Usk hosted another 40-over friendly against a touring team, Fareham. Although glorious weather greeted the players at the beginning of the match, rain ruined the second half of the game with a result proving impossible. Fareham won the toss and decided to bat under a cloudless sky. With Usk’s fielders spilling early chances, Fareham were able to get off to a steady enough start, posting 38 without loss from their first 13 overs. Skipper for the day, Mike Jones, then put on the slow bowlers and things changed dramatically. Mike Kear, Rob Kerby, Kai Michael and Richard Rees all chipped in with wickets. Kerby finishing with figures of 4-0-25-4. Outside of the top four no Fareham batsman made double figures, including ducks for numbers 5,6 and 7. The visitors collapsed to 120 all out from 32 overs. It was around this time that the clouds began to gather overhead, and during tea a thundershower soaked the outfield.

Usk finally began their reply at 6pm after the rain had abated and a mopping up operation had taken place. However, only a solitary over was possible before the heavy rain returned to ruin the chance of any more play.