On a pleasant Saturday in South Wales, first team skipper Tom Robinson won the toss and decided to bat. Right from over number one Usk struggled as they were reduced to 9-4 in only the 7th over, the top three all getting ducks. Staring down the barrel, Usk did at least recover and make three figures, Huw Waters (33) guiding the visitors up to an all out total of 103. For Sudbrook C. Ashling had the impressive figures of 10-3-26-5.

Though not as disastrous a beginning as Usk’s innings, Sudbrook’s reply stuttered in pursuit of their 104-run target. With Sudbrook reduced to 79-8, an unlikely Usk victory was on the cards. However, this is as good as it got for the visitors, as they were unable to capture any further wickets. In a heroic effort Waters followed up his batting effort with figures of 10-4-25-5.

Meanwhile back at the Athletic Club Ground, Sudbrook won the toss and decided to bat. This had looked a decent decision as the visitors’ top order performed well reaching 162-3 after 40 overs. However, they failed to capitalise on this platform as wickets fell regularly, three run outs restricting the Sudbrook push. The wickets were shared out, with Tony Kear finishing as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 5-0-25-2.

Usk’s reply began in solid rather than spectacular fashion as the hosts found themselves 100-4 in the 27th over. This is when Sanjay Thapan (57) and Tony Kear (54) took the attack to Sudbrook. The pair put on 61 for the fifth wicket in quick time. Even after Thapan’s departure, Tony Kear kept the runs flowing and despite the loss of a few wickets towards the death, Phil Stephens struck the winning boundary with 2.4 overs to spare.

On Sunday Tom Robinson again won the toss and decided to field first at Pentyrch. Usk’s bowlers set about their task in hot, sticky conditions and took wickets at regular intervals. Besides Ghori, who scored 62, no other batsman found going easy, and as a result extras were next highest scorer with 19. The hosts struggled up to 143 all out, losing their final wicket from the penultimate ball of the innings. Steffan Kelly starred for Usk with figures of 8.5-3-17-5.

Usk’s reply got off to an electric start as Ian Clayton smashed a whirlwind 51, dominating a first wicket partnership of 69. With the tone set Mark Tamplin (61*) and Matt Birrell (29*) had few alarms as Usk coasted to a 9-wicket win with more than 20 overs to spare. Usk finally have a home tie in this competition in the 3rd round, which will take place on 14 June.

At the same time on Sunday, back at the Athletic Club Ground, Usk were entertaining Dinas Powys in a 40-over friendly. Captain for the day, Kai Michael, won the toss and chose to bat. Despite the loss of an early wicket, Gareth Webber (32) and Charlie Watkins (31) put on 55 for the second wicket, before Webber and Nathan Barrett (29) put on 50 for the third wicket. However, both fell with the score on 112, in the 25th over. It was from this point that Usk took the game by the scruff of the neck. Phil Stevens (54) and Kai Michael (53) shared a fifth wicket stand of 121 in 13 overs. Both fell shortly before the end of the innings as Usk finished on a competitive 238.

Dinas Powys were always struggling as they lost early wickets and fell further behind an already demanding required run rate. The visitors were dismissed with 10 overs of their innings unused and 100 short of victory. All of Usk’s bowlers chipped in with wickets, the pick of whom being Alex Head who finished with figures of 4-0-30-3.

Usk face another busy programme next weekend. The action begins on Friday night when the firsts play in the Macey cup away to Chepstow. On Saturday, the firsts entertain Cardiff, whilst the seconds visit the same opponents. On Sunday, Usk host a friendly against Ystrad Fellte.