Usk endure the heat on tour in the States (From Free Press Series)

Usk endure the heat on tour in the States

In celebration of their club's 130th anniversary a party from Usk RFC went on tour to Cincinnati and Chicago. This tour took place at the end of May through to the beginning of June.

The group totalled 32 (of which 21 were players) and they would like to take this opportunity to thank all the sponsors of the tour for their support.

During their time away they played three matches. The first was against Queens City R.C Cincinnati (present club of ex-Usk player Aevion Blackwell) and this resulted in a 15 all draw.

Usk scored three unconverted tries, through Neil Phillips, Chrissy Morgan and Andy Pearce, to Queens City's two tries, a conversion and a penalty.

The game was played in a very good spirited way by both sides in temperatures in excess of 85 F, which left the Usk players dehydrated and very exhausted.

The one down point of the afternoon was the injury (broken collar bone) to Richard Jenkins.

The second was an evening match against Dayton Area R.C. (The Flying Pigs), this game was played four days after the previous one and the Usk players were still feeling the after effects and it ended with a 17-13 defeat for Usk.

The try scorers for Usk were tour captain Bryn Hughes and Andy Thomas, Gareth Hughes-Jones kicked a penalty. Dayton scored three tries and one conversion.

The third and final match was played in Chicago against the North West Woodsmen R.C. supposedly the strongest side of the three. The final score was Usk 24 North West Woodsmen 15.

The try scorers for Usk were Windsor Howells, Mark Williams, Chrissy Morgan and guest player Aevion Blackwell, with Gareth Hughes-Jones kicking two conversions. The Woodsmen replied with two tries, a conversion and a penalty.

Usk's tour party thought that the level of hospitality shown by all three host clubs could not be surpassed, the friendliness of all the people we came into contact with and the after match festivities were tremendous.

The most surprising aspects of rugby in The States was that prior to each match the players and supporters mark out a pitch and erect posts, then dismantle it all after the event. Also the players change into their kit on the sideline and usually have no showering facilities for after the match.

It must be said that rugby in America is played in a fast and frantic manner but in a very sporting atmosphere. The Americans were very surprised at the controlled structured rugby that Usk played against them and the way an attack