Usk lose to Port Talbot

On Saturday Usk firsts lost narrowly  at home to Port Talbot, whilst the seconds match against the same opponents was called off due to heavy overnight rain in west Wales. On Sunday, Usk beat Kent based touring team the Lobsters in a friendly, before losing the following today to another touring team, East Anglian side, Castor and Ailsworth

On a pleasant Saturday afternoon, Port Talbot skipper, Dan Cherry, won the toss and decided to field first. This looked a good move as Usk lost two early wickets t paceman Chris Ashling. At 26-2 Oliver James was oined by Travis Townsend and the pair added 50 before James fell. Townsend (59) then held the middle order together, before Huw Waters (26) and Jake Roderick (23*) ensured that Usk’s bowlers would at least have something to bowl at, as they reached 173-3 from their 50 overs. For Port Talbot, Ashling finshed with the impressive figures of 12-1-34-3.

Despite the loss of an early wicket, Port Talbot looked comfortable as they reached 129-2, requiring just a further 45 for victory. Wickets began to tumble though including that of top scorer Cherry (67), as Usk scented an opportunity. At 169-8 it was anyone’s game, before a series of wides enabled Port Talbot to scrape over the finish line. For Usk Huw Waters finished with the equally impressive figures of 12-2-27-3.

On a glorious Sunday afternoon, the Lobsters won the toss and elected to bat. Despite Jack Stedman removing both the openers, the visitors’ top order made a competent start as they reached 110-2. At this stage though the Lobsters lost two quick wickets including that of top scorer, L Morgan (47). No one else was able to get going as the middle order got bogged down against the spin of Neil Perrett and Tony Kear, who captured 6 wickets between them. Perrett finished with the impressive figures of 8-0-29-4, as the Lobsters limped up to 198 all out.

Usk’s reply got off to a solid start as Mike Kear (28) and Mark Tamplin (39) put on 85 for the first wicket. Usk then suffered a dramatic collapse as four wickets fell on this score; however, Richard Catchpole (64*) and Neil Perrett (28) guided the hosts to he brink of victory, before Tony Kear helped Usk over the line for a 5 wicket win. For the Lobsters D. Patching captured 3 wickets.

On an equally fine Monday afternoon, Usk won the toss against Castor and Ailsworth and chose to bat. Usk’s innings was dominated by Mark Tamplin, who scored a magnificent 102*, which included 15 fours. With Henry Hazell (17), Tamplin posted 98 for the first wicket, but with nobody else from Usk getting in on the act, the run rate was slow and the hosts finished on 159-6 from their 40 overs. For the visitors, J Fountain took two wickets.

The tourists’ reply run rate was little better than Usk’s effort, but they were lucky in that four batsmen made contributions to the run chase, the most significant of these coming from J Fountain (79*), who this time shone with the bat. For Usk, Travis Townsend picked up three wickets.

Next weekend sees another busy time for Usk. On Friday evening at Croesyceiliog CC, Usk take on Newport in the Macey Cup final. On Saturday, Usk returns to league action as the firsts travel to fellow strugglers, St Fagans and the seconds entertain the same opponents. Both these games commence at 1:30pm. On Sunday, Usk travel to the SWALEC Stadium to play in the league Twenty20 Finals Day. Usk’s semi versus Sully begins at 10:30am.