It was a matter of rain stopped play for a second week running in the Glamorgan and  Monmouthshire Cricket League with every game falling foul of the weather for a second successive weekend.

The wash-out means that none of Chepstow or Sudbrook's senior or junior teams have bowled a ball in competitive anger so far this summer.

But the showers did hold up long enough for Chepstow's Sunday side to fit in a friendly against Usk  – a game that  gave a number of key players a chance for some much-needed time in the middle.

Captained by James Bostock, Chepstow won the toss and elected to bowl their 40 overs first. And the decision was vindicated early-on as young fast bowler Luke Watson picked up the wicket of Gabriel Warwick to leave the home side 16-1. This soon became 28-2 as left-armer David Monk got in on the wicket-taking action, dismissing captain Sanjay Thapan for 3 to leave the score 28-2.

But from there Usk began to get into their stride and took the attack to the young Chepstow side. Despite four wickets from 16-year-old left arm spinner Josh Tregaskes, the home side finished with 239-6 from their 40 overs. The innings included 11 sixes, with veteran all-rounder Jake Roderick hitting six maximums in a score of 53 not out.

In reply Chepstow recovered from the early loss of first team opening batsman Zak Watson to dominate the first half of their innings. Sixteen year-old all-rounders Tom Smith and Monk put on 119 for the second wicket before Smith was finally dismissed for 72.

Monk continued to hold the innings together but with wickets tumbling at regular intervals at the other end Chepstow were left with an uphill task. Monk eventually fell for a superb 88 and  despite some late blows by Luke Watson –who made 24 – the side ended up falling just seven runs short.

The narrow defeat was full of positives for a young Chepstow side that contained eight players that had come up through the club's junior ranks.

Weather permitting Chepstow's first and second teams face Tondu this weekend while their third and fourth teams line-up against Blaina.

Sudbrook's first and second XIs play Pontypridd while their third team take on Ton Pentre.