9:35am Wednesday 8th August 2001
Only a magnificent 52 from young David Standfield coupled with the rain, saved Beckenham from the ignominy of an innings defeat and almost certain relegation, as their batting collapsed, pathetically twice in the same day, in their Forester Premier League fixture against The Mote at Foxgrove Road, writes Gordon Law.
Aussie Mark George, with 10 wickets in the match, was the architect of destruction with a superb exhibition of top quality pace bowling to which Beckenham's batting had few answers.
Resuming on 54-4, the remaining batting collapsed like a pack of cards against the Mote seamers. Only Simon Evans (13) and a belligerent 21 from Darrell Carter showed any resistance as the home side were all out for 111.
George took the bowling honours for the visitors with 4-39.
Following on nearly 200 runs behind, the blistering pace of George acounted for James Evans and Ufton in quick succession. Jamie Rowe (13) and Maqsood Ahmed batted well to restore some semblance of order and lunch came with Beckenham on 31-2.
Skipper John Heywood's plea to his batsmen to bat all day fell on deaf ears as the innings collapsed horribly against the high-octane George.
Rowe got a nasty “lifter” he could do nothing about and Wheeler joined in the mayhem with a couple of quick wickets. Ahmed, having batted quite beautifully for 23, gave keeper Matt Bennett his fourth catch.
Resistance came with the arrival of David Evans and the promoted Standfield. Both youngsters batted with great maturity and their running between the wickets was excellent.
They coped with George better than any of their colleagues and a splendid stand of 41 ensued before Evans was snared by Mote skipper James Hodgson for a fine 29.
Standfield continue to bat magnificently, taking full advantage of the attacking field to play some glorious shots. He was given staunch support by skipper John Heywood, batting in great pain after being struck on the hand by George. The stand was worth 51 before George claimed Standfield for a superb 52 containing seven fours.
When the rain came, Heywood was still there on 23 and the home side on 171-9. George bowled quite beautifully to take 6-65.
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