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Sheldwich 1st XI v Bearsted 1st XI
Saturday 2nd August 2003

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Sheldwich 2nd XI v Bearsted 2nd XI
Saturday 2nd August 2003

Sheldwich  XI v Upchurch 1st XI  Doug Wood Cup Semi-Final
Tuesday/Wed 5/6th August 2003

James Creed has played many superlative innings for Sheldwich over the years, but his 117 not out against Upchurch must rank among the most important contributions which he has made to the club's cricket throughout his career.

Ian Hulks won the toss on Tuesday and invited Upchurch to bat in the 32-over a side match. It was not an easy pitch to bat on, with the dry weather producing a wicket which gave considerable assistance to spin, as well as variable bounce and pace to quicker bowlers. Dave Prior was the pick of the Sheldwich attack, conceding only 13 in his 8 overs, as well as picking up two wickets. Upchurch, however applied considerable pressure in the latter overs, with aggressive strokeplay and positive running between the wickets. Bovis (36), Hales (39), and the all-rounder Etherington (44*) pushed the fielding to the limit, and it broke, with misfields and missed catches allowing the opposition to amass 187 for 6, a total considered by the pundits to be beyond Sheldwich.

Wednesday saw conditions brighter - the cloud of Tuesday had dispersed - and Upchurch determined to apply a simple game plan: deny James Creed the strike and squeeze his partners. It worked, until the last eight overs. James pushed singles, struck the odd boundary, and watched as partner after partner succumbed to a combination of pace and spin. D.Lloyd, Sr. picked up 3 for 15 in his 8 overs to reduce Sheldwich to five down and the target far distant. Martin Mills offered some support (14), before Creed cut loose and took the game to Upchurch. With a mixture of cultured offdrives, massive pulls, and powerful straight driving, the sixes started to flow, and the asking rate dropped, until with two overs left we needed 13. Simon Smith was out, Gareth Hill eased the pressure with a four off the last ball of the penultimate over, leaving James to finish in style with another drive over extracover for four. Sheldwich finished with 191 for 8 - Creed 117* ( 4 x 4, 12 x 6 ). Extras 22, Hodges 12, Mills 14.

Sheldwich therefore qualify for the final af Upchurch on Sunday 31st August - opponents as yet unknown. Given tighter bowling, disciplined fielding, batting consistency and James Creed, the trophy could be coming to the Lees.

D Knight  Scorecard