USK had a weekend to forget as all three sides succumbed to heavy defeats. The firsts and seconds lost to their respective Cardiff counterparts on Saturday, whilst the thirds lost out to Rogerstone in a friendly on Sunday.

Usk first team had a crucial table-topping clash on Saturday at the Diamond Ground in Cardiff. On an overcast afternoon, Tom Robinson won the toss and elected to field. This initially looked a good decision as Cardiff laboured to 48-3 after 16 overs.

Vinnie Kay put in a typically miserly spell, picking up a coupe of wickets. However, the hosts recovered from this position as firstly Rees (38) and Norman (73) put on 77 for the fourth wicket, and Norman and Carter (41*) added 54 for the sixth.

Subsequently Cardiff went up to 222-8 from their allocated 50 overs. For Usk, Huw Waters had the pick of the figures with 10-2-31-3.

Usk's reply got off to a poor start as they lost wickets in the fourth and fifth overs.

Ian Clayton (33) and Seb Warwick (23) mounted a slight recovery in getting Usk up to 66 in the 19th over, before Clayton fell. With wickets then falling regularly, Usk were rather tamely dismissed in the 33rd over for only 112.

This result is a major blow to Usk's hopes of capturing the league title.

Meanwhile back at the Athletic Club Ground, Usk seconds were experiencing a similar fate at home to the same opponents.

The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. This proved a wise decision as Powell (76) and Preece (49) posted an opening stand of 105 within the first 19 overs before Tony Kear struck.

However Hobbs (34) joined Powell and helped take the score on to 181. With such a good platform, Cardiff were able to amass 282-6, with only Tony Kear having a day to remember amongst the Usk bowlers, finishing as he did with three wickets.

Usk's reply got off to a dreadful start as they lost a wicket in only the second over. At 66-4 in the 20th over, Usk were really staring down the barrel. Neil Perrett (41) and Jake Roderick (53) then added 69 for the fifth wicket to add some respectability, before the tail managed to wag Usk up to 172 all out.

If Usk were hoping for some relief on Sunday, they they were to be sadly disappointed. On another overcast day, Haydn Jeremiah won the toss and chose to bat. This proved a wise decision as Phil Stevens (63) and Henry Hazel (34) put on 88 for the first wicket inside the first 20 overs. Unfortunately for Usk the middle order got a little bogged down, as Usk made it up to 189-6 from their allotted 40 overs. This always looked a bit light, and so it proved.

Rogerstone never looked in trouble, as Trinder (59*), Jones (37) and J Berry (61*) guided the visitors to a comfortable nine-wicket win. Usk's only glimmer was Greg Peacock snaffling a catch from the bowling of Gareth Webber.

Usk's sides will hope for better this weekend as the firsts entertain neighbours Croesyceiliog, and the seconds travel to Chepstow on Saturday; both games beginning at 1pm.

ABERGAVENNY'S quest for their third consecutive win came unstuck at Pentyrch on Saturday, Chasing 192 for victory, they were well placed for much of the innings but ultimately lost too many wickets to sustain the chase.

Pentyrch were asked to bat first on losing the toss, and Abergavenny made the most of the opportunity to exploit some overcast conditions in taking three early wickets. 

Nathan Byrne and Jon Denning again bowled extremely well with the new ball and two wickets to Byrne, along with a run out, left Pentyrch reeling at 43-3 in the 10th over. 

A. Najmi played some shots to increase the scoring rate but departed to Craig Barnsley in the 15th over, caught behind by Greg Fury with the score on 72. 

Then came the crucial partnership; Wadlan, having chanced his arm and played some big shots early doors, reined himself in as Gardiner helped to stabilise the innings. 

Wadlan was dropped on 67, and went on to make an extra 16 runs, which were to ultimately prove the difference between the two sides. 

Gardiner eventually departed for 46, caught and bowled by James Schofield, who again profited from Andrew Coles' excellent spell, in picking up three wickets caused largely by the pressure created by the club's premier spinner, who was extremely unfortunate to go wicketless. 

Wadlan was finally dismissed for 83, well caught down the leg side by Fury, again off Barnsley, before Wilcox and M. Najmi were dismissed cheaply. 

Denning and Byrne were reintroduced to wrap up the innings and this time it was Denning who picked up the wickets as Pentyrch closed on 191 all out.

Abergavenny began their chase in damp conditions, and got off to a dreadful start as Andrew Jones and Fury were dismissed from consecutive balls from M. Najmi, to leave the score on 7-2 off four overs. 

Faced with a rebuilding job, Schofield and Gavin Heritage were initially cautious before finally breaking the shackles with the introduction of spin. 

Heritage continued his excellent batting form this season and looked in good touch, striking Coates' leg spin for two mighty sixes over midwicket. 

It came as a shock when Heritage was dismissed, caught and bowled by Grossett for 38, leaving the score on 90-3 in the 25th over, with Abergavenny in a good position.  Unfortunately, two more quick wickets meant another period of consolidation as Barnsley joined Schofield after the dismissals of Dan Hartland and Steve Brown. 

Barnsley batted extremely well, and helped get the run chase back on track, before Schofield was out caught and bowled by M. Najmi for 58. 

This was one blow too many, and despite Barnsley's best efforts, with good support from the lower order, Abergavenny eventually had to turn their sights on a losing draw, and Coles and Byrne saw them to a 10 point haul as they closed on 174-9.

An ultimately disappointing result for Abergavenny, who went into this game with great confidence, and came away with a feeling that this was a real opportunity missed.  Nevertheless, this was another decent all round performance, and the players continue togrow in their roles in the team, whilst fostering a good team spirit. 

Next week sees them travel to fellow mid table side Penarth, and Aber will again go in confident of being able to register another win.