ELLIOT Doyle's 56 proved in vain as Usk 1st XI's run chase fell an unlucky 13 runs short at home to Bridgend Town in Saturday's South Wales Premier One clash.
Freddie Wolfenden and Tom Norton took two wickets apiece as the visitors set a 50-over target of 219-8, sixth man Alex Jones firing an unbeaten 75 off 63 balls.
Will Smale and Doyle gave Usk a good start taking them to 57 before the former was run out for 41.
Partners then came and went for Doyle as he moved past his half century before becoming fifth man out with the score on 132.
Former Qatar skipper Zafar scored 33 to take Usk to 190 when he became the eighth victim, and despite 21 from ninth man Prahlad Odedra, the hosts were all out for 206 with 1.1 overs left.
The 2nds also lost by just 12 runs away to derby rivals Monkswood 1sts.
Matthew Malson with 52 and Mike Watkins with 51 helped fire the hosts to 188-5 off their 40 overs, with Richard Rees taking two wickets.
But despite 75 from Usk skipper Sidharth Ramesh and 24 from Rees, only one other Usk batsman made double figures as they finished short on 179-9.
The 3rds won by two wickets at home to Brecon 2nds though, restricting the visitors to 198-8 off their 40 overs before reaching 199-8 with 10 balls to spare, Daniel Cordell firing 77 and skipper Arvind Aswani 49 after three-wicket hauls for Cordell and Oliver Hall.
Llanarth 1sts won by 47 runs away to Tondu 2nds, Paul Gittins with 67, Ollie Mann 54 and Sean Edwards an unbeaten 50 as they reached 222-6 in 45 overs.
And tight bowling then limited the hosts to 175-8, Edwards, Glen Hamilton, Tom Heath and Dan Moseley all taking wicket braces.
Llanarth 2nds dismissed Abergavenny 4ths for 139 at home, Andrew Hilditch and Harrison Griffiths taking three wickets apiece, backed by Henry King with a brace, before reaching 140-3 in 34 overs, Nick White with an unbeaten 50 and Gerry Stentiford 31.