Mixed results for Usk

It was a mixed weekend for Usk as the first team were beaten very heavily at home by league pace setters Sully, whilst the seconds managed a thrilling victory away to the same opponents

On a sunny day at the Athletic Club Ground, Sully skipper, Mick O’Shea, won the toss and elected to bat first. This proved a wise decision as the Sully top order made a competent start. Sully were firmly in control of the game as they reached 119-1. On this score Sully lost both O’Shea (60) and Mike Powell (31). With another wicket falling shortly after, Sully found themselves in trouble at 124-4. However, Lloyd Smith (52) and Richard Ready (57*) wrested the initiative back with a fifth wicket partnership of 86. Sully then had a late order thrash to reach 249-6 from their allocated 50 overs. For Usk Jake Roderick and Owen Watkins each picked up a brace of wickets.

The Usk reply got off to a poor start and never really got going as wickets fell at regular intervals. At 97-8 Usk were struggling to reach double figures. Top scorer Gavin Jones (30) at least ensured that the hosts reached a more respectable 143 all out. For Sully, the Sylvester brothers, Ryan and Jamie each picked up 4 wickets.

Meanwhile down at Sully, Usk were a man short as they took on their hosts. Usk skipper, Sanjay Thapan, won the toss and elected to field. This was a wise decision as Sully wickets began to tumble. Only Shahzaib Rehan (32), Christopher Thorne (33) and Peter Holmstrom (32) made any significant contributions as Sully were dismissed for 139. For Usk, Julian Smith had the pick of the bowling with figures of 9.4-3-15-4.

Usk’s reply got off to a sound start as the top order all batted solidly. Usk looked in command when they found themselves 82-1. Even with the score at 131-3, the game looked all over; however Sully had different ideas. 5 wickets then fell for as many runs as Usk collapsed to 136-8. Last wicket pair Jack Stedman and Joe Peacock were able to keep their cool and see Usk over the finish line. For Sully it was Matt Thomas who did the damage, removing the middle order. His impressive final figures of 3-0-9-4, however proved in vain.

On Saturday Usk firsts will hope to get back to winning ways, when they travel away to Cardiff. The seconds entertain the same opponents. Both matches begin at 1:30pm. On Sunday, the thirds return to action after a four-week break, as they take on Llanvapley at the Athletic Club Ground. Play begins in this game at 2:30pm. At the same time the Usk U-17s will play away to St Fagan’s U-17s. This match will begin at 2pm.