USK'S hectic weekend got off to a disappointing start as Friday evening's Macey Cup Final against Newport was rained off. However, the following day Usk Firsts tied away to fellow strugglers St Fagans, whilst the seconds comfortably beat the same opponents at home.
On Sunday, Usk travelled down to the SWALEC Stadium for the League Finals Day; however they were eliminated in their semi by the eventual winners, Sully.
On a pleasant Saturday afternoon down at St Fagans, home skipper Owain Hopkins won the toss and elected to field. This looked a wise decision as it was Hopkins himself who set about the visitors' batting. At 69-5 Usk were looking down the barrel, before Travis Townsend (69), Usk's lead batsman this season, was joined by Neil Perrett (34). The pair added 87 for the sixth wicket to get the innings back on course; however, with extras being the third highest scorer with 25, Usk were dismissed after 49 overs for 179.
For St Fagans, skipper Hopkins had the exemplary figures of 12-5-18-3, whilst Prateesh Rajpal also picked up three wickets.
St Fagans' reply got off to a far more measured start as, despite the loss of an early wicket, they reached 139-2; Beaverstock leading the way with 76.
With just 41 required for victory the hosts' wickets then began to tumble as the middle order got bogged down. At the end of the 51st over (St Fagan's had one of Usk's overs) St Fagans had reached 179-8, and tied the match. For Usk Tom Robinson, Jake Roderick and Ollie James all took a brace.
Meanwhile back at the Athletic Club Ground in Usk, capain Sanjay Thapan won the toss and also elected to field. After Tom Lee removed both openers with just 33 on the board, Jeremy Lawlor (72) and Gareth Lennon (83) put on 160 for the third wicket.
St Fagans were not able to capitalise fully on this platform however and finished on266-7 from their 50 overs. For Usk Dominiv Rees also picked up two wickets.
Usk's reply got off to a great start as Mike Kear (139*) and Jonathan Davies (45), posted 98 for the first wicket. Four quick wickets fell (all to Luke Vincent) to leave Usk struggling on 132-4. Kear had other ideas ideas though as he and James Osborne (55*) shared an unbeaten stand of 135 to lead Usk to victory with six wickets and nearly five overs to spare. Kear's century was scored in 132 balls and included 18 fours and four sixes.
On a glorious Sunday morning at the SWALEC Stadium Sully skipper, Mike O'Shea, won the toss and chose to bat. Sully blasted their way to 214-2 off their 20 overs. Former international, Alex Wharf, scored 95*. In reply Usk were always struggling and laboured up to 113-6.
Usk will be hoping to put Sunday's disappointment behind them as they take on Newport in the rearranged Macey Cup final at Croesyceiliog CC. Play starts at 5:30pm. On Saturday Usk return to league action with the firsts entertaining Ynysygerwn and the seconds playing away to the same opponents. Both games begin at 1:30pm. On Sunday, Usk entertain Bristol in a friendly. Play begins at 2pm.