USK CC have been kicked out of the fourth round of the Welsh Cup by Cardiff in the most surreal of circumstances.

On a wet and windy Sunday, with the players spending as much time off the pitch as on it, Usk's innings was reduced to a paltry 18 overs, from which they managed in the wet conditions to build a score of 64-9, thanks mainly to a brave 18 by Mark Tamplin.

With weather conditions continuing to play havoc, Cardiff's adjusted target was set at 37 from 10 overs.

With the loss of a solitary wicket, Cardiff achieved this after only 3.4 overs, which was a truly disappointing way for Usk to end their cup campaign.

SATURDAY ended on a brighter note for Usk's first team, as their first team beat Sully away at Burnham Avenue.

Winning the toss, Sully got off to a watchful start, posting 30 for the first wicket in the opening nine overs before Usk skipper Tom Robinson dismissed Ryan Sylvester.

From this point on wickets tumbled regularly as Stefan Kelly and Ollie James devastated the middle order.

At one stage Sully were reeling at 95-8 in the 28th over. However, a late rally ensured that they would reach 144 all out. Kelly finished with figures of 8-0-32-4, and James 10-3-31-4.

Despite the early loss of Sion Francis with the score on 26. Matt Birrell (83*) and Ollie James (43) then put on 104 to take the visitors to the brink of victory.

Birrell fittingly struck the winning boundary to bring up a comfortable eight-wicket win. Birrell's knock included 13 fours and two sixes.

MEANWHILE back at the Athletic Club Ground it was a different story for Usk's second team as the visitors from Sully took the spoils.

Usk skipper, Mike Kear won the toss and elected to field. The decision was sadly not vindicated as Matt Thomas (93) and D Goodway (44) proceeded to put on 140 for the first wicket in the first 27 overs before a smart pick-up and throw by Richie Rees at mid-wicket accounted for Goodway.

Sully's batsmen were able to keep the momentum going and despite Rees himself (9-2-29-3) and Sanjay Thapan (9-1-35-2) weighing in, the visitors were able to finish on 262-6 after their allocation of 50 overs.

Usk's reply got off to a dreadful start, losing a wicket in only the second over. Henry Lewis (39) and Sanjay Thapan (48) then shared Usk's best stand of the game as they put on 64 for the second wicket.

However, once both were dismissed there was little to write home about except for the on form Tony Kear who made 58.

Usk were eventually dismissed for 193 in the 44th over; a 69-run defeat. For Sully, Terry Williams had the pick of the bowling figures with 10-1-44-3.

Next Saturday sees the first team return to action in the league away to Penarth, whilst the seconds entertain Bridgend. Both games begin at 1pm. Then on Sunday, the Athletic Club Ground hosts the first round of the national Twenty20 competition, with a triangular knockout taking place between Usk, Croesyceiliog and Cardiff. Play begins at 1pm.

THE unruly elements caused problems in Abergavenny CC's two games against Blackwood.

The first XI game at Blackwood ended after 13 overs with the home side batting at 43-2.

Meanwhile in the second XI fixture at Avenue Rd, rain stopped play with Abergavenny at 53-1 chasing 231.

Crickhowell completed their home fixture game against local neighbours Glangrwyney with an emphatic seven wicket victory, but the Beavers were second best at Eastnor Ground and lost by eight wickets.