USK first team continued their scorching start to the season with victory away to Sudbrook.

Tom Robinson won the toss and elected to field. This proved a sound decision as the Usk bowlers set to work on the Sudbrook batting.

Sudbrook wickets fell regularly as the hosts were unable to put together a partnership of any note. They were eventually all out for 155 in 48.3 overs. Rhys Pescod top scored for Sudbrook with 36, while Chris Douglas had the pick of the figure with 10-1-34-3.

Usk’s reply got off to a poor start as they lost an early wicket; however, a second wicket partnership of 51 between Owen Watkins and Chris Douglas got the innings up and running.

The visitors then lost a couple of quick wickets, and found themselves 69-3. Dougie Spencer then joined Watkins and the two of them took the Usk total up to 114 before Watkins fell for a run-a-ball 75, which included eight fours and a six. After the loss of one further wicket, it was left to Spencer (31*) and skipper Robinson (13*) to guide Usk home. Their final total was 156-5 from 43.3 overs; a victory by five wickets.

Meanwhile back at the Athletic Club ground it was a similar story as Usk second XI successfully chased down another Sudbrook total and bagged their first win of the season.

Neil Perrett won the toss and inserted Sudbrook. The visitors got off to a reasonable start as they put on 46 for the first wicket before Jason Cook struck.

Although, like their first team, Sudbrook seconds were struggling to put partnerships together. Matthew Burton was immovable and at 140-5 with a little over six overs to go, Sudbrook had the platform for a late assault. This never materialised though, as Ben Jones ripped the lower order to shreds. In a spell of three overs, Jones took five for eight (four bowled, one leg before) to help dismiss Sudbrook for 151 from 42 overs.

On a day when partnerships seemed hard to come by, Usk lost their first and second wickets with the total on 33, then laboured up to 73-4 after 20 overs.

Skipper Perrett (48*) and Dominic Rees (30*) ensured that there would be no more dramas as they took Usk home without further loss. Usk finished on 152-4 off 35.1 overs for a victory by six wickets.

This weekend sees Usk firsts entertaining Pontypridd, while the seconds travel to the same opponents. The firsts’ match will begin at 12:30pm (a 50-over contest), while the seconds will commence their 45 over game at 1pm.