Disastrous weekend for Usk

Usk had a weekend to forget as all three sides succumbed to heavy defeats. The firsts and seconds lost to their respective Cardiff counterparts on Saturday, whilst the thirds lost out to Rogerstone in a friendly on Sunday.

Usk first team had a crucial table-topping clash on Saturday at the Diamond Ground in Cardiff. On an overcast afternoon, Tom Robinson won the toss and elected to field. This initially looked a good decision as Cardiff laboured to 48-3 after 16 overs. Vinnie Kay put in a typically miserly spell, picking up a coupe of wickets. However, the hosts recovered from this position as firstly Rees (38) and Norman (73) put on 77 for the fourth wicket, and Norman and Carter (41*) added 54 for the sixth. This got Cardiff up to 222-8 from their allocated 50 overs. For Usk, Huw Waters had the pick of the figures with 10-2-31-3.

Usk’s reply got off to a poor start as they lost wickets in the fourth and fifth overs. Ian Clayton (33) and Seb Warwick (23) mounted a slight recovery in getting Usk up to 66 in the 19th over, before Clayton fell. With wickets then falling regularly, Usk were rather tamely dismissed in the 33rd over for only 112. This result is a major blow to Usk’s hopes of capturing the league title.

Meanwhile back at the Athletic Club Ground, Usk seconds were experiencing a similar fate at home to the same opponents. The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. This proved a wise decision as Powell (76) and Preece (49) posted an opening stand of 105 within the first 19 overs before Tony Kear struck. However Hobbs (34) joined Powell and helped take the score on to 181. With such a good platform, Cardiff were able to amass 282-6, with only Tony Kear having a day to remember amongst the Usk bowlers, finishing as he did with three wickets.

Usk’s reply got off to a dreadful start as they lost a wicket in only the second over. At 66-4 in the 20th over, Usk were really staring down the barrel. Neil Perrett (41) and Jake Roderick (53) then added 69 for the fifth wicket to add some respectability, before the tail managed to wag Usk up to 172 all out.

If Usk were hoping for some relief on Sunday, they they were to be sadly disappointed. On another overcast day, Haydn Jeremiah won the toss and chose to bat. This proved a wise decision as Phil Stevens (63) and Henry Hazel (34) put on 88 for the first wicket inside the first 20 overs. Unfortunately for Usk the middle order got a little bogged down, as Usk made it up to 189-6 from their allotted 40 overs. This always looked a bit light, and so it proved.

Rogerstone never looked in trouble, as Trinder (59*), Jones (37) and J Berry (61*) guided the visitors to a comfortable nine-wicket win. Usk’s only glimmer was Greg Peacock snaffling a catch from the bowling of Gareth Webber.

Usk’s sides will hope for better this weekend as the firsts entertain neighbours Croesyceiliog, and the seconds travel to Chepstow on Saturday; both games beginning at 1pm.