Glamorgan and Monmouthshire Cricket League Division One - Sudbrook firsts (155 all out) lost to Usk firsts (156-5) by five wickets

AFTER a narrow victory at Blackwood a week earlier, Sudbrook never recovered from three early setbacks which saw Ross Lewis, Mickey Martin and Matthew Kinchin back in the pavilion at home to Usk.

Both skipper Martin and Kinchin have been in good form this season and with Lewis always among the runs, their dismissals were greeted with huge enjoyment by the visitors. Rhys Pescod offered resistance to post 36 runs but ran out of partners at regular intervals. 

After losing Kel Stevens for 21, the next three batsmen went for six runs each. Mark O’Leary scored 25 before being out, caught and bowled by James Aston (2-23). Chris Douglas (3-34), Jack Stedman (2-33) did well in an Usk attack that saw six of their seven bowlers claim wickets.

In their chase, Owen Watkins made 75 after opening partner Iain Clayton was trapped leg before wicket without scoring. Wicket-keeper Dougie Spencer took up the challenge and saw Usk over the line with 31 not out accompanied by Tom Robinson on 13.

Skipper Martin Yeah admitted his men were about 50 short of a competitive total: “It was a poor result. We were poor with the bat but performed well with the ball and in the field. 

“Hopefully lessons were learnt and we move on to Radyr next week. 

“Scott O’Leary bowled very well again so it was a shame we didn’t have the 50 runs needed to get a result.”

In the reverse fixture between Usk seconds and Sudbrook seconds, home team bowler Ben Jones claimed five wickets to polish off the visitors’ tail for just 15 runs as they struggled to 151 all out.

Matthew Burton top-scored with 43 and opener Steve Comins made 34 but only three other batsmen made double figure scores.

In the following chase, Dominic Rees top-scored with 48 not out and Neil Perrett made 30 as Usk took advantage of 27 extras to make 152-4 with just under 10 overs to spare.