USK CC's first team failed to defend their title and crashed out of the Macey Cup away to Newbridge on Saturday. A depleted side batted first, struggling to three figures from their 20 overs. Only Matt Cook and Ollie James made contributions with the bat, both making thirties. A strong Newbridge side coasted to victory with plenty of wickets and balls to spare. On Saturday, the firsts bounced back with victory at Abergavenny, while the seconds lost to the same opponents. At Avenue Rd, the hosts won the toss and inserted Usk. The visitors got off to a slow start, as they lost an early wicket with the score on 13. At this stage, skipper Henry Lewis joined Iain Clayton in the seventh over. The two of them were not parted until the 35th over, after they had added 144 for the second wicket. At this stage Lewis fell for 51, which had included four fours – his second consecutive half century. With the score at 157-2 and 15 overs remaining, Clayton made sure that they did not waste this platform as he batted through the innings, guiding Usk to a final total of 245-5 from their 50 overs. He finished with an unbeaten 102. His century came from 155 balls and included 11 fours. This also followed on from a half century the previous Saturday. Abergavenny's reply never really got going as Jason Cook and Tom Robinson ripped out the top order. After 16 overs the two of them had left the hosts reeling at 66-5. With Ollie James working his way through the lower order, Abergavenny collapsed to 96-9. The final wicket for Abergavenny realised the highest partnership of their innings, 39, to guide them to 135 all out. Abergavenny will be disappointed that four batsmen got into the twenties without going on to better things. For Usk Robinson claimed a brace, while James and Cook each picked four victims. James finished with the pick of the figures 2.4-1-17-4. On Saturday, with the firsts taking a break to accommodate the Usk Music Festival, all attention will be on the second team as they travel to play Radyr. Play begins at 1pm. Then on Sunday, the third XI are away to the same opponents, with play beginning at 2pm.