HORSPATH run machine Robbie Eason hailed his unbeaten century in the Voneus Village Cup fifth-round win over Wembdon as his best innings.
The former Oxfordshire opener had the Rec rocking with a brilliant 102 not out as he shared an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 171 with Max Smith (80no) to take Horspath to 236-4 and set up a 76-run victory.
Pacing his innings perfectly, he made the most of being dropped on three to accelerate the scoring with his 121-ball knock including 12 fours and two sixes.
Robbie said: "I have come to the game in good form. I played for the MCC in the week and got some runs. With the children I can't play both games at the weekend, so I said I would play league on Saturday or Village Cup on Sunday.
"I am 42 now and I've been playing in the Village Cup for 26 years and I have only played twice in the national rounds when we have got through Oxfordshire.
"Will (Eason) said in the morning he wanted me to open the batting to give us a right-hand/left-hand combination.
"I had a bit of luck when I was dropped at mid-off. It was a difficult deck - a bit up and down and very dry.
"They bowled very straight and bowled well early on and with us 40-3 that pretty much epitomizes what I have been about. I value my wicket, leave it late and get in.
"It was a great partnership with Max, and I think that is my best innings. I can think about getting runs for the county and for Horspath and that is probably my best.
"Between 32 and 40 overs we had licence to go for it. We just took it on and ran well at that stage and hit boundaries."
He had a heart-in-the-mouth moment as he brought up his half-century with a six to the mid-wicket boundary by the car park with Harry Everett juggling the ball as it went over the line.
Robbie admitted: "I thought I was a gonna, but some of the supporters told me it was over the line anyway."
And he went to his century in style in the last over, moving on to 97 with a six on to the scout hut roof, before cracking the next ball through extra cover for four.
With the crowd giving him a standing ovation, he celebrated in unusual fashion by placing his bat between his legs, before raising it aloft.
Robbie explained: "The celebration with the bat between my legs was me mounting the horse! I just know how much the Village Cup means to people. I think back to Sid Shepherd, Ken Shepherd and Bob Walker and that era of people. The support was brilliant.
"It's a great day for the club. I have been involved a long time. It's a special moment."