Triple success for Usk this weekend

On Saturday Usk’s first and second teams earned comfortable victories over their respective Abergavenny counterparts; then on Sunday a Usk third eleven won a friendly match against Attock

On a glorious Saturday afternoon at the Athletic Club Ground, first team skipper, Tom Robinson, won the toss against local rivals Abertgavenny and elected to field. This decision was vindicated almost immediately as Abergavenny lost a wicket in the first over of the match. Abergavenny wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as the visitors limped to 41-6 in only the 12th over. Things were not much better after 20 overs as Abergavenny lost their seventh wicket with the score on 58. Abergavenny at last did rally, as Heritage (64) marshalled the tail to enable his team to total 162 all out. For Usk, Huw Waters finished with the exemplary figures of 10-2-26-4, whilst Vinnie Kay and skipper Robinson each bagged a brace.

Requiring 163 to win, Usk were never in difficulty in pursuit of their target, as Matt Birrell (53) and Waters put on 77 for the first wicket. Despite Coles picking up 4 wickets for Abergavenny, Usk were always in control and easily attained their target in only the 36th over with 5 wickets still in hand. James Osbourne (23*) and Robinson guided the hosts over the finishing line, with the skipper fittingly smashing a six to end the game.

Meanwhile 12 miles up the road in Abergavenny, Usk again won the toss as captain, Mike Kear, decided that fielding first was also the way to go. However, it was Abergavenny who made the better start as Kinman (29) and Astley-Jones (32) put on 60 for the first wicket in 15 overs. Both were then removed by Jack Stedman. With Viveash (28) and Wallace (40) putting in useful contributions in the middle order, Abergavenny were well placed at 147-3 in the 38th over, however the onslaught never came as Stedman bagged another two wickets in his second spell and Jake Roderick weighed in with a couple. This meant that Abergavenny made it up to 186-9 from their allocated 50 overs. Stedman finished with the fine figures of 10-2-31-4.

In reply Mike Kear (91) and Richie Morris (67*) ensured that there would be no wobbles as they posted an opening stand of 154 from the first 37 overs. Despite losing Kear and two other batsment, Usk coasted to victory with 5.4 overs and 7 wickets in hand. Kear’s 91 included 8 fours and a six, whilst Morris struck 3 fours in his unbeaten knock.

On an equally glorious day on Sunday at the Athletic Club Ground, Attock won the toss and elected to bat. In this 40 overs per side friendly Attock struggled to get to grips with the Usk bowling, as Pat Rodden, with figures of 7-3-35-3, and Dave Bond, with the even more extraordinary figures of 5.3-1-9-4 helped to bowl out the hosts in only the 37th over. Only Zain (53) made any headway for Attock.

Usk made heavy weather chasing down this small target as wickets fell at regular intervals. Charlie Watkins (27), Richie Rees (44) and Dave Egerton (27*) ensured that the hosts did not slip up as Usk reached their target in the 34th over with four wickets in hand.

Usk face a hectic weekend this time around. On Saturday the firsts travel to league champions, Sully, whilst the seconds entertain the same opponents; both matches begin at 1pm. On Sunday, the firsts travel to Cardiff in the fourth round of the Welsh Cup, whilst the thirds play a friendly at home to Radyr. Both matches commence at 2pm.