Usk RFC - 30
Hartridge RFC - 28
USK started their SWALEC Plate campaign with a narrow win against Hartridge that saw the homeside dig in for the victory with just 13 men on the field.
The game started with a penalty apiece. Andy Farrell then made a good run breaking the Hartridge defence before offloading to Emlyn Jones, who forced his way over for a try under the posts which Tom Parry duly converted.
The Usk forwards then drove the ball towards the Hartridge line and forced the ball down for a try which was claimed by Richard Davies.
Tom Parry then extended the lead with a further penalty before Ben Papp scored a try from a good run.
Following the conversion, Usk went into a 25-6 lead, but this was shortlived when Hartridge scored two converted tries and a penalty to bring the score back to 25-23.
Just before half time Andy Farrell made a fine run along the wing to score in the corner and give Usk a lead of 30-23.
The expectation of a sack load of points in the second half did not materialise and the only score was a try to Hartridge.
Although the Hartridge pack outperformed Usk in the set pieces their were some fine individual performances from Rob Siddons, Richard Davies and Andy Pearce.
Usk needed to draw on all their reserves towards the end of the game when they played for a time with 13 players after seeing Tim Jenkins yellow carded and Dan Forrester red carded. Dicky Jenkins also carried on with a rib injury as Usk held on to win 30-28.
Next week sees Usk return to league action in Division Five East with a visit to RTB Ebbw Vale.