ON Saturday, Usk's first team lost away to Port Talbot Town, whilst the seconds pulled off a fantastic victory against the same opponents; their first of the season.
The following day, the firsts then narrowly lost in the second round of the Welsh Cup to neighbours Panteg.
On a glorious Saturday afternoon in Port Talbot, Usk skipper Tom Robinson won the toss and elected to field.
After a perky opening stand of 43, Usk's bowlers then gained the ascendancy as Port Talbot lost three quick wickets with Dom Reed picking up a brace.
Port Talbot then rallied as Dan Cherry (114*) and Dean Cox (32) put on 95 to take the host up to 145-3.
At this stage Cox fell, but with Cherry holding the innings together, Port Talbot Town were able to post 209-8 from their 50 overs.
Cherry's patient, unbeaten 114 took 142 balls and included 14 fours and two sixes. For Usk Dom Reed finished with three wickets.
Usk's reply got off to a poor start and never really recovered as wickets fell at regular intervals. At 83-7 Usk looked like walking away with no batting points; however, a mature innings of 46 by Tom Baker at least enabled the visitors to reach 161 before Baker was last out in the 48th over. For Port Talbot, Chris Ashling and S. Phelps each bagged three wickets.
Meanwhile back at the Athletic Club Ground, Port Talbot skipper Ian Rees won the toss and chose to bat first. This looked a wise move as Chris Allen (59) and Michael Samual (19) were adding 70 for the first wicket. The visitors then added further runs to take their score on to 113-1. It was at this point that the spin duo of Neil Perrett and Jakin Patel got Usk back in the game, ending up with four and two wickets respectively. For Port Talbot, Sean Griffiths (55) and Mark Jones (24*) made sure that the visitors posted a competitive 226-8 from their allocated 50 overs.
This score looked even more impressive as Usk's reply got off to a dreadful start. With both openers soon back in the pavilion, it was left to Neil Perrett and Richie Catchpole to get the hosts back in the game. The pair put on 71 for the third wicket before Catchpole fell for 20. At 97-3 Usk's middle order then capitulated as they collapsed to 146-7; however, that man Perrett was still there. Ably supported by Julian Smith (14*), the duo ensured that Usk lost no further wickets and reached their target with two overs in hand, Perrett finished on 142*, which included 18 fours and two sixes.
This went with earlier figures of 10-0-44-4. For Port Talbot Town, Sean Griffiths and Richard Edwards each picked up two wickets.
On Sunday, the hottest day of the year thus far, the visitors from Panteg won the toss and elected to field first.
Despite the loss of an early wicket, it was actually Usk who made the better start as Oliver James (25) and Seb Warwick (70) took the hosts score to 70 before James fell.
With useful rather than spectacular partnerships forming Usk were indebted to a steady half century from Johnathan Davies (51) and a thrash from Owen Watkins (45*) at the end of the innings to get up to 268-6 from their 45 overs.
For the visitors Ian Bird and Achtar Baloch each picked up a brace of wickets.
In reply Panteg also lost an early wicket as Mike Reed struck; however the visitors' innings took a similar shape as useful partnerships were made. Ian Bird (65) led the way with support from Achtar Baloch (37), Lewis Parfitt (42) and Chris White (26). Ali Bukhari (51*) then guided Panteg home with three wickets and eleven balls to spare.
Next Saturday, the firsts will be hoping to return to winning ways as they entertain St Fagans, the seconds will be away to the same opponents. Both games begin at 1:30pm. On Sunday, Usk will then be hosting Newport and Ammanford in the National Twenty20 competition. The first of three matches begins at 11:30am.