FOR THE second week running, Basingstoke were forced into a rearguard action to avoid defeat after their top order batsmen failed to dominate.

Last week the rain came to save them from defeat by Slough. On Saturday, at home to Beaconsfield, the middle order, spearheaded by Dean Nurse, fought back for another draw.

Basingstoke, replying to Beaconsfield's 226-8 in 65 overs, were in trouble at 27-3 when Nurse came out to join Scott Dyer.

Dyer launched into the bowling with a 33-ball onslaught that brought him 34 runs before falling to a caught and bowled chance. All but six of those runs came in boundaries with four fours off a single over.

Nurse was more watchful, waiting to punish the odd bad ball and patiently building his innings. He was given two lives, first when he was dropped square-cutting and then when he top edged for a difficult chance at slip.

He remained unbeaten on 57 at the close - his first half-century of the season. His half-ton came up in 112 minutes off 104 balls and there were seven boundaries in his undefeated score.

Nigel Williamson joined Nurse after the early demise of wicketkeeper Ross Hunter and the left-hander was scrupulous in defence.

He came in at 71-5 after 27 overs and brought up the 50 partnership with a straight-driven four.

The next over Nurse passed his 50 but then lost Williamson when the stand was worth 62.

Jon Govett remained unbeaten on 19 at the close with a 23-ball innnings that included four boundaries.

Eight overs in the day were lost through a rain shower before lunch.

Earlier Charl Willoughby had taken the bowling honours with a return of 4-82 from his 23 overs. Govett claimed two victims in his 14-over spell but no-one could halt the unbeaten innings of all-rounder Niam Doshi, who made the day's top score of 63.

Basingstoke skipper Lee Nurse, who left immediately afterwards for a three-day match with Berkshire against Cornwall in Penzance, admitted the top order batting had been a problem all season.

"We were never really in the hunt to win the game," he said candidly.

He praised his younger brother Dean for his top score.

"Dean played well for his 50," he said.