KIDLINGTON lost valuable ground on leaders Tring Park and Wokingham as relegation candidates Beaconsfield batted out for a draw their lower order richly deserved.

Once again Kidlington's failure to win the toss cost them dear as they where inserted on a Stratfield Brake wicket barely fit for play.

A cautious start from Nawaz Ali and Richard Howitt, who made his second consecutive half-century, laid the platform for Andrew Buckingham (60no) and skipper David Taylor (43) to take Kidlington to 223-4 dec, leaving Beaconsfield 53 overs to get the runs.

All of this looked academic as Bimalka Liyanarachchi forced the pace with three early wickets, which saw Beaconsfield slump to 34-4.

The visitors innings deteriorated further as Josh Lalor finally got hold of the new ball to leave Beaconsfield reeling to 65-6.

However, this only brought together former Kidlington player Sajid Hussain (37no) and Greg Mann (92no), who shared an unbroken partnership of 117 in 28 overs to deny the hosts.

Despite changing around his bowlers and bowling both spin and pace himself, Taylor was unable to effect another breakthrough and Beaconsfield finished on 182-6.

Mann struck 13 fours in his knock, which came off 120 balls.