One Eynsford batsman yesterday single-handedly dashed Shipton-under-Wychwood's hopes of a fourth Lord's appearance with a match-winning century.

Opener James Ashdown smashed a superb 121 not out to lead the hosts to a deserved five-wicket victory.

Shipton's 198-9 was always going to be tough to defend, and they had more than their share of bad luck.

Even Ashdown was fortunate on occasions, but that should not take anything away from the Kent side's fine effort.

Shipton skipper Steve Bates said: "We were looking at 200 minimum, but at the end of the day, their guy Ashdown batted superbly. He timed it to perfection.

"I've had two semi-final losses and they have both been in Kent."

Shipton elected to bat and looked in great shape at 52-0 off nine overs, but the game started to turn when Eynsford skipper Ben Wise brought himself on to bowl.

Bates and Jason Constable surrendered their wickets with soft catches, and they never regained their momentum after a rain delay in the 25th over.

Luck was definitely on Eynsford's side, however, as Shipton danger men Simon Hole and Jon Hartley were both out to what Bates called "fluke dismissals".

Firstly, Hartley smashed a drive into non-striker Hole's bat, and the ball rebounded to Ben Wise at mid on.

Worse was to follow when Krishna Nadendla's fingertips diverted Chris Panter's drive onto the stumps to run out Hole for 43.

Panter made 36 and Andy Hemming added a valuable 21 not out, but Ian Playfoot (4-32) and Wise (2-29) did the damage.

Ashdown's opening partner, Gary Atkins, had hit a ton in Eynsford's quarter-final victory over Dinton, but yesterday his role was very much second fiddle.

By the time he was out for 11 at 72-1, Ashdown was well past 50.

Only Playfoot and Paul Geear provided any real support, but Eynsford's man-of-the-match was not to be denied.

Appropriately, it was Ashdown who hit the winning runs in the penultimate over in what was eventually a comfortable win.

Panter and Paul Hemming bowled well and Constable was economic, but it was not quite enough to deny Eynsford their Lord's debut. SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD

S Bates c J Wise b B Wise...29

J Constable c Geear b B Wise...18

S Hole run out...43

P Hemming st Collins b Playfoot...19

J Hartley c B Wise b D Wise...2

I Lewis c&b Playfoot...5

C Panter c D Wise b Dell...36

A Hemming not out...21

S Miller b Playfoot...2

C Lambert c J Wise b Playfoot...0

C Brain not out...0

Extras...23

Total (9 wkts, 40 ovs)...198

Fall: 1-52, 2-55, 3-113, 4-117, 5-124, 6-137, 7-183, 8-196, 9-196

Bowling: Nadendla 9-0-43-0, Dell 6-0-43-1, B Wise 9-0-29-2, D Wise 9-0-41-1, Playfoot 7-0-32-4.

EYNSFORD

G Atkins c Brain b Panter...11

J Ashdown not out...121

J Wise b Miller...3

I Playfoot c A Hemming b P Hemming...22

D Syres c Miller b Panter...3

P Geear c Constable b P Hemming...27

D Wise not out...0

Extras...15

Total (5 wkts, 39 ovs)...202

Fall: 1-72, 2-87, 3-127, 4-140, 5-194.

Bowling: Lewis 6-1-37-0, Constable 8-1-23-0, Miller 9-0-59-1, Panter 9-0-36-2, P Hemming 7-0-38-2.