AFTER three players posted centuries to earn victory a week earlier, it was unlikely they could repeat the performance – but Sudbrook had a very good try!

Playing at Usk, Sudbrook vice-captain Lewis Morgan won the toss and decided to field

But this time, the team were on the receiving end as Oliver James and Iain Clayton set about the visitors’ bowling, scoring 140 and 129 respectively. James was eventually caught by Morgan off Rhys Pescod’s bowling and Clayton was stumped by wicketkeeper Bradley Bates who was deputising for unavailable skipper Ross Lewis.

Facing a tough target of 297-2, Sudbrook only needed to think back to seven days earlier when they had chased down Abergavenny’s 316 total thanks to tons by Lewis, Morgan and Micky Martin.

It was Martin who led the charge, taking up the challenge after he lost Bates and Matthew Kinchin to leave Sudbrook on just 7-2.

Martin hammered seven boundaries and two maximums as he and Joe Voke took the score to 230 before Voke departed on 102.

Could lightning strike twice? Could a Sudbrook player conjure up another century?

Back at Mill Lane, the phones were red hot as the latest scores were relayed back from Usk but when Martin eventually fell for 119, the disappointment was tangible and although Kel Steven made 26 not out, the 1st XI ran out of overs and the innings ended an agonising 11 runs short, on 286-6.

Usk’s Jamie Norman took the bowling honours with 2-31 from just seven overs.

Meanwhile, at Mill Lane, Usk Seconds were completing a fine double victory after being set a target of 242 to win.

The home side recovered from the blow of losing open James Kinchin without scoring with Matthew Spencer scoring 105 which included 11 boundaries and two sixes.

He and James Hussey (60) steered Sudbrook to a respectable score despite Usk holding eight catches.

Greg Peacock took 2-26, Joe Peacock 2-41 and Neil Perrett 3 for 60.

Usk were given a great start by openers Peter Downing (54) and 123 not out by Mark Tamplin (12 4s and 4 6s) as Sudbrook’s bowlers tried in vain to contain him and, aided by 23 extras and useful contributions from Arvind Aswani (18) and Alex Head (20), Usk passed the target with an over to spare.