POOR bowling and disappointing fielding were to blame as Sudbrook lost by seven wickets at home to Usk at Mill Lane, according to skipper Ross Lewis.

With Lewis departing for a duck and fellow opener Joe Voke out for just one run, it was left to the rest of the team to provide a total to test their visitors.

But despite the hard work of Lewis Morgan (72), Matthew Kinchin (33), Micky Martin (32) and Mark O'Leary (24), Sudbrook's total of 222–9 in their 50 overs always looked vulnerable.

Sudbrook enjoyed an early breakthrough when Rob Thorn removed opener Phil Stephens for three runs, but Dougie Spencer (32) and Henry Lewis (121) took Usk to within striking distance and Oliver James (50 not out) saw them to a seven-wicket victory.

Earlier James Aston claimed Usk's bowling honours, taking 4–30 including one maiden in his ten overs.

"We were under par in all departments," Lewis said.

"We were beaten by a good Usk team and a very impressive hundred from their skipper Henry Lewis.

"For us, Lewis Morgan batted really well for his 72, and there were useful contributions from Micky Martin and Matthew Kinchin, but realistically we were about 40 runs short of a good total.

"We were poor again with the ball and our fielding was disappointing once again.

"We've got to turn this around as we've got some tough fixtures coming up.

"We will be looking at making some changes this week as there have been some boys in the Seconds who have been making a good impression."

Meanwhile, in the return fixture at Usk, Sudbrook Seconds batted first and set a total of 230–7 thanks to Greg Shaw (94), Bradley Bates (30) and Matt Spencer (30).

In reply, Kel Stevens took four wickets and Nathan Thomas chipped in with three dismissals plus a run-out as Usk finished on 207-8.