BEACONSFIELD'S batsmen were in sparkling form as they marched through to the third round of the Evening Standard Trophy beating Southgate by 96 runs at Wilton Park on Sunday.

After Saturday's Home Counties Premier League derby washout against High Wycombe, Becky's batsmen were champing at the bit and wasted no time bashing out the runs.

On a hard, fast pitch, they rattled up a massive 298-3 from their 50 overs. All the batsmen enjoyed themselves, especially Martin O'Reilly, who hammered 92 not out off just 86 balls. His innings included four splendid sixes.

Jim Chaudry also got among the runs, hitting 65 off 75 balls, while Simon Perks added a fluent unbeaten 41 off 47 balls.

They set Southgate a big total to chase, but the Londoners made a flying start with 36 off the first three overs, including 17 runs from Naeem Baig's opener.

The introduction of Denzil Owen slowed the rate as he took three for 20 in a super ten-over spell, while Mark Sullivan's stint confirmed Beaconsfield's victory as the visitors were limited to 202 for eight.

The match was played with the Wilton Park flags at half mast following the death of former umpire and Bucks Association of Cricket member Ian Knight in his early seventies.

Saturday's Home Counties match against High Wycombe was one of four Premier League matches to be washed out without a ball being bowled. All eight teams involved picked up six points from the abandonments.

Second placed Banbury did manage to play taking 12 points from their draw with Basingstoke and Northants.

The rain also played havoc with the second division fixtures as Amersham's match at Burnham and Marlow's match against Bletchley was abandoned without a single ball being bowled.