Mixed fortunes for Usk

In a complete reversal of fortunes from the previous weekend, the first team were thrashed by 10 wickets at neighbours Croesyceiliog, whilst the seconds won by 9 wickets against Chepstow.

On a sunny afternoon in Cwmbran, Croesyceiliog won the toss and inserted Usk. Things got off to an ominous start as the visitors lost their first wicket in only the third over and never really recovered. Usk lost wickets at regular intervals and the only partnership of any note was for the third wicket of 27 between Matt Birrell (27) and Sion Francis (20). Asid from this, there was little for Usk to cheer, being dismissed as they were for 103 in the 37th over. For Crossy, M Beacham finished with the figures of 7.5-2-14-5.

In contrast Crossy’s reply got off to the perfect start as 12 were taken from the first over. Crossy’s openers continued in an attacking vein, and wrapped things up in only the 15th over, before tea was taken. Bragg, who had captured three Usk wickets, top scored with an unbeaten 57.

However, it was a happier scene back at the Athletic Club Ground, where the visitors from Chepstow had won the toss and elected to bat. Despite Chepstow getting off to a flyer in the early overs, Usk’s bowlers rallied well in clawing back the run rate, as Jack Stedman picked up the first Chepstow wicket. The visitors still managed to find themselves on 47-1 after only ten overs. It was at this stage that Julian started to get on top of the batting. In a spell of 10-4-21-2, Smith, bowling in tandem with the equally miserly Sanjay Thapan, really put a halt to the Chepstow run rate as they finally reached three figures in the 30th over. With Tony Kear and Neil Perrett also chipping in with wickets, Chepstow finished on 204-6 from their allocation of 50 overs. This was largely thanks to A Jones, who finished with an unbeaten 78.

Usk’s reply got off to a watchful start as they lost their first (and what would turn out to be only) wicket in the 10th over, with the score on 30. Opener Richie Morris was then joined by skipper for the day, Neil Perrett. For the next 25 overs the pair put on an unbeaten 175 with Morris finishing on 48*, and Perrett a magnificent  124*. With shots all around the park, Perrett’s century included 17 fours and 5 sixes. Usk had won with 15 overs to spare.

Next week sees both Usk teams play Abergavenny. The firsts will be entertaining their local rivals whilst the seconds are away. Both games begin at 1pm. On Sunday, Usk teams then play a brace of friendies at home to Caerphilly Druids and away to Croesyceiliog respectively. Both of these matches commence at 2pm.