Mixed results for Usk on final league weekend

The league season finished on a low for Usk first team as they went down at Blackwood by 92 runs. It was a different story back at the Athletic Club Ground, as the seconds beat the same opponents by 6 wickets. On Sunday, Usk thirds played a Russ Carter XI in what ended up being a Thirty30 Challenge, the visitors winning by 5 wickets

On a glorious afternoon in Blackwood, Tom Robinson won the toss and elected to field. It was the hosts who started more brightly as they negotiated the opening spells without any alarms. However, a double strike in the 14th and 16th overs by Charlie Watkins got Usk back in the match as Blackwood found themselves on 50-2. Blackwood then wrested back the initiative with before M Evans (47) was out in the 29th over with the score on 111. it was from here that Blackwood took control. N Reardon (66) and H Wilcox (82) helped guide the total up to 255-5 from their allocated 50 overs. Usk used 8 different bowlers, with Ollie James and Matt Birrell each picking up a wicket.

In reply, Usk got off to a poor start as wickets fell regularly. Only James (43) and Huw Waters (61*) really got going as Usk were dismissed for just 163 after only 35 overs. Usk finished the season in fourth place. This defeat cost them any chance of finishing second, which would have been their highest position since the inception of the South Wales League. For Blackwood, this final match ensured their first league win of the season.

Meanwhile back in Usk, it was a happier outing for the seconds. Neil Perrett won the toss and decided to field. This proved a fine decision as Jake Roderick struck in only the fourth over of the innings. With Perrett chopping and changing the bowlers – nine were used in total – Usk took wickets at regular intervals, and Blackwood struggled to put together any partnerships of note; their highest being 41. The visitors were eventually all out in the 48th over for 178. Roderick finished with the impressive figures of 10-0-29-3. Julian Smith and Pat Rodden also helped themselves to a brace.

Usk’s reply got off to the ideal start as Sion Francis (48) and Dave Kalveitis (37) took the attack to Blackwood, putting on 83 for the first wicket inside the first 11 overs. Perrett (29) and Roderick (24*) picked up the baton and saw Usk home to a handsome victory in only the 31st over. This result helped Usk seconds to finish their inconsistent season in a respectable 5th position.

On Sunday, Haydn Jeremiah won the toss for Usk and decided to bat in the ACE Electrical Challenge Match. A very young side struggled up to 111 all out, with Dave Egerton leading the way with a stylish 43*. Reg Peacock and Alan Egerton had the pick of the figures for the Carter XI. Despite the clatter of early wickets, the Carter XI’s reply proved comfortable in the end as Phil Watkins (30*), Steve Mustoe (18) and Kai Michael (30*) saw the visitors home.

Next weekend sees Usk play their final matches of the 2009 season. On both Saturday and Sunday, Usk entertain the Leicestershire Tourists, Twycross.