THE third annual charity T20 between Usk CC and the Newport Gwent Dragons Rugby Club went off without a hitch and took place under glorious blue skies and all-day sunshine.

The spectators flooded into the picturesque Monmouthshire ground and the match was the most successful of the three events to date.

Having beaten Usk in the two previous encounters, the Dragons were taking this year’s match seriously, arriving early to practice in the nets.

Outside half Jason Tovey wore the captain’s armband for the rugby club’s side due to an injury to centre Pat Leach.

After winning the toss, the home side were initially pegged back though some superb bowling by South African second row Rynard Landman, backed up by some athletic fielding by the Dragons.  

Usk’s opening bat Iain Clayton commented that it was the best bowling he’d faced all season, with wickets taken by Landman, Brok Harris, Angus O’Brien, Luc Jones and two each from Cory Hill and Blaina CC player Rhys Jones.

Usk finished up 182-9 from their 20 overs with Clayton retiring on 32. Captain Henry Lewis (28) and veteran Owen Watkins keeping the spectators on their guard with some hard hit shots.

In reply, with a mix up between Luc Jones, last years match winner Tovey was run out with only six runs on the board, only for a charitable donation to keep him at the crease.

The following over he hit three consecutive 6’s to retire on 32 with Luc Jones following, retiring on 35.

Some great batting saw the Dragons on 84 after six overs. On 15, Landman was bowled by Tom Robinson, however the neutrality of the umpires came into question as they both donated money to the charities to keep him at the crease! He went on to also retire on 32. 

Angus O’Brien added to Usk’s woes retiring on 32, a great catch on the boundary sent Cory Hill back to the pavilion scoring seven and James Thomas soon followed on nine.  

But the late flurry of wickets came all too late for Usk as the Dragons’ unbeaten run continued with James Benjamin hitting the winning run with three overs to spare for the loss of just five wickets.

Tovey said: “It gets better every year and we’re looking forward to the next one.”

Dragon’s Landman tweeted: “It was an awesome day; organise another one for next weekend!”

The event was in aid of Usk’s two chosen charities St David’s’ Foundation Hospice Care and the Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl Society.

Early indications are that in excess of £4,500 has been raised, easily surpassing last year’s total, with more than £10,000 raised from events over the last three years.

Usk’s chairman, Mike Kear, said: “This was an amazing day with fantastic numbers of spectators supporting the event.

“The standard of cricket being played has got better and better and we need to up our game next year if we are to have any chance of beating the Dragons.

“We are extremely grateful to all the Dragons players for making this event happen.”