THERE were mixed fortunes for Usk on Saturday as the firsts experienced their first league defeat over at Chepstow, while the seconds beat the same opponents. At Chepstow, Usk skipper, Henry Lewis, won the toss and elected to field first. The game started half an hour late due to the recent rain, with the hosts making the more satisfactory start as G. Ansell (40) helped put on 55 for the first wicket. A flurry of wickets left Chepstow reeling at 87-4; however a fifth wicket stand of 82 between D. Monk (59) and A. Franklin (41) proved to be the backbone of the Chepstow innings, as they finished on a respectable 208-9 form their allotted 46 overs. For Usk, the prolific Lorne Burns weighed in with the excellent figures of 10-2-31-6. Usk's reply began at a ferocious pace as 17 came off the first over, and 10 from the second. It could not last though as the visitors collapsed from 31-0 to 34-5. Usk never recovered from this position. Six of their batsman got into double figures without going on; and it is sad indictment that the next best partnership of the innings was 26, put on for the last wicket. This took Usk up to a total of 88 all out. J. Dobbie with figures of 10-6-10-3 was the pick of the Chepstow bowlers. It was a happier story back at the Athletic Club Ground, where Chepstow won the toss and chose to bat. Starting at 3pm, the match was reduced to 33 overs per side. Chepstow made a steady start to their innings, and at 114-2 in the 23rd over, were well placed to post a challenging total. It was at this stage Neil Perrett came to the fore, ripping out the middle order with three quick wickets. Chepstow only managed to reach 175-6, T. Gavand top scoring with 63) Despite losing a wicket in only the second over of their reply, Usk cruised to victory with partnerships of 72 for the second wicket, and an unbroken stand of 103 shared between Mark Tamplin (101*) and Jake Roderick (40*). Usk finished on 176-2, with 14 balls to spare. Tamplin's century included two sixes and 11 fours. Yet again it is another busy week of cricket at Usk. On Thursday and Friday a two-day game takes place between Cardiff MCCU and Durham MCCU. Play begin both days at 11am. On Saturday, the Usk first team will look to bounce back when they entertain Croesyceiliog. Meanwhile the seconds will be looking for their third straight league victory, when they travel to Miskin Manor. Both games begin at 1pm. On Sunday, the 3rd XI then entertain Chepstow. Play begins at 2pm.