Usk 2nd XI News

Usk II earn first victory of the season After failing to register a victory in their first five matches of the season, Usk finally notched up their first win by winning away at Penarth II by 49 runs. On an initially sunny afternoon, play eventually got under way at 1:30 in a match reduced to 45 overs per side, due to a very damp pitch. The hosts won the toss and inserted Usk. The visitors got off to a dreadful start, being reduced to 5-2 in the third over. Despite the fact that the pitch was doing a bit, opener, James Osborne, was joined by captain for the day, Jake Roderick, and the two of them turned the innings round with a stand of 104. Osborne then fell in the 22nd over just two short of a well-deserved half century. His cultured 48 included 4 fours and a six. Roderick continued to take the attack to Penarth and was finally out for a belligerent 77, including 9 fours and two sixes. After Roderick’s departure, Dominic Rees ensured that the Usk innings did not fold, being out to the last ball of the innings for a well-crafted 44, which included 3 fours and a six. The Usk innings closed on 215-8. The pick of the Penarth bowlers was A Ricket with figures of 8-1-28-4. With the overhead conditions becoming increasingly overcast, but the pitch settling down, the Penarth reply began solidly, if unspectacularly. Usk fielded well, but bowled without a great deal of luck, and after 20 overs Penarth were 68 without loss. It was at this stage that Richie Barrett struck. Barrett in his spell picked up the first three wickets to fall, including both openers, to reduce Penarth to 111-3 in the 29th over. He finished with figures of 9-0-36-3. However, J Docherty was looking in imperious form for Penarth and while he remained they always stood a chance. After a wicketless first spell Gavin Jones returned and removed Docherty for an excellent 59. Jones finished with figures of 8-0-28-2. With no one outside of the top three getting into double figures, Penarth collapsed to 156 all out. Roderick and Julian Smith also chipped in wickets, recording figures of 5.1-1-21-3 and 9-1-44-2.