USK finally returned to the field and comprehensively beat Panteg in last Saturday's local derby at home in the Thomas Carroll South Wales Premier league.
Mike Kear lost the toss and Usk were asked to bat on a slow yet dry surface and made a solid start with Iain Clayton (30) and Oil James (23) putting on a patient 54 for the first wicket in 20 overs.
Three quick wickets saw Usk stutter to 84 for four, but Mike Jones steadied the innings with a controlled 33 and along with Owen Watkins (23) looked to be taking Usk to their target of 200.
Glamorgan's Adam Harrison bowled with superb control taking three for 18 and Captain Mark Davies three for 47 as Usk readjusted their sights of not being bowled out in the allotted 50 overs.
Mike Kear and Tom Lee picked up vital singles in the closing overs before Usk were bowled out for 161.
This below par score fired Usk to their finest fielding and bowling performance of the season and it all started when Glamorgan's Will Bragg was bowled first ball by Owen Watkins. Jason Cook bowled his usual tight lines and alongside Watkins, ensured Panteg could make only 23 off their first 15 overs.
The Usk spinners were introduced, but Harrison counter attacked early before he was run out following a mix up with Micky Martin.
Ian Bird joined Martin and looked in good touch hitting the bad balls and taking Panteg to 80 before he was bowled by 16 year old off-spinner James with a beauty between the 'gate'. James belies his youth bowling with variation and control which saw him take three more wickets, including Bragg's brother for another first ball duck.
Martin continued his anchor role, but no Panteg player would stay with him and with seven overs remaining he fell for 35, and with it Panteg's hope of hitting the 47 required for victory.
Owen Watkins returned and mopped up the total finishing with three for 11 off eight overs. This was Usk at their best and it obviously delighted Usk's Captain, as his team had put into practice all the attributes he has been asking of his players throughout the season. On Sunday Usk took on Penarth in the Welsh Cup and won by four wickets in a tense yet easy win, and will now face last season's winners Llandudno at home
On Monday evening Usk beat Abergavenny in the twenty/20 Macey Cup by 20 runs. Batting first Usk scored 135 for seven with Mark Tamplin (52) and Mike Jones (26) the pick of the Usk batters.
Spinners opened up for Usk and Abergavenny lost wickets at regular intervals as Oli James (2-15) and Mark Tamplin (4 -14) took Usk to victory. Usk will now play Croesyceiliog in a semi-final tie tomorrow.