Mixed weather and mixed fortunes for Usk

On a weekend when the weather finally matched what is expected for this time of year, Usk’s teams experienced fluctuating fortunes: the first’s game on Saturday with Swansea was abandoned, the seconds were well beaten by the same opponents; and on Sunday the first team hammered Barry Wanderers in the opening round of the Welsh Cup

On an inclement afternoon at the Athletic Club Ground, Usk skipper, Tom Robinson, won the toss and elected to field. The home side made the better start, as Robinson and Vinnie Kay, removed both openers with only 51 on the board. It was from this point that the visitors took control of the game. Mark Payne (91) and Gareth Hayden (59) putting on 126 for the third wicket before Hayden fell in the 39th over. With the weather hampering proceedings, Swansea managed to bat out their allocated 50 overs, scoring 260-8. Out of the Usk bowlers, Owen Watkins was the pick with three wickets, whilst Robinson and Tom Lee each picked up a brace.

With rain taking so much time out of the game, Usk only ended up facing 8 overs, in which time the hosts had scored 28-2. The match was then abandoned.

Meanwhile on an overcast, yet dry, afternoon down at the St Helen’s ground, Swansea skipper Keri Chahal won the toss and chose to bat. Despite a couple of early wickets for Phil Stevens, the hosts were looking comfortable at drinks, finding themselves on 92-3 after 25 overs. Whatever they put in the drinks down in Swansea obviously appealed to the Usk players as immediately after Julian Smith ripped through the middle order as the hosts collapsed to 96-7. Unfortunately for Usk a couple of dropped catches and a frustrating last wicket stand of 65 let Swansea of the hook as they were dismissed for 191. Smith ended with the impressive figures of 9-2-35-5; whilst No 9 Rhys Batcup top scored for Swansea with 35.

Despite the loss of a couple of early wickets, Usk got off to a sound enough start as they reached 51-2 after 16 overs; however less than an hour later the visitors were all out for 82. For Swansea, Adam Morris finished with the unbelievable figures of 6-1-9-5.

On Sunday, at the Athletic Club Ground, the first team batted first and immediately set about the Barry bowling. After 45 overs, Usk had stormed up to 329-2 from their allocate 45 overs. The highlights were centuries for Oliver James (129) and Travis Townsend (123). James innings included 16 fours, whilst Townsend hit sixteen fours and a six. The pair also added 167 for the second wicket.

Faced by such a daunting total, Barry made the worst start possible as they collapsed to 20-5. The visitors managed to struggle up to 84 before they were dismissed. Many of the Usk bowlers finished with fine figures, though the pick was Greg Peacock who finished with the analysis of 1.2-1-0-3.

On Saturday both the first and seconds will be looking for their first league victories against teams from Sully. The firsts travel away, and the second are at home. Both games begin at 1:30pm. On Sunday an Usk 3rd team will entertain Dinas Powys. Play in this friendly fixture commences at 2:00pm.