Captain Amin Rafiq has hailed Horspath's resounding 228-run victory at home to Aston Rowant in the Oxfordshire regional final of the Voneus Village Cup as a 'statement' win.
Amin was content to take a back seat as Viv Narayan (137) and Tom Nichols (109) hit superb centuries in a second-wicket stand of 231 to take Horspath to a formidable 312-5 off 40 overs in the fourth-round tie.
His brother, Asad, then produced career-best figures of 6-21 to rip through Rowant's batting with the visitors shot out for 84 to the delight of the home supporters among a 200-plus crowd.
Speaking on Tuesday at Horspath's Hartwell Trophy win at home to Oxenford, Amin said: "It was an amazing day for the club. As far as finals go it was certainly a statement to say the least.
"That was what I asked the boys for when we were warming up. It was a great opportunity to go out and express ourselves. There was a big crowd and we wanted to put a show on for everyone.
"With Ty (Eyles) and Tom, the way they went out there set the tone for the day and then obviously with Tom and Viv.
"Viv has been threatening a big score for a number of weeks now when he has been batting in the league and in other competitions.
"We all know Tom is a good player. We have looked after him for the first few weeks and helped him settle into the club, so I was chuffed for both of them.
"It was great to see the way they went out there and really expressed themselves. That is what I want to see as a captain and what we want to see as a club."
Amin was also pleased to see Asad reap the rewards for the hard work he has been putting in.
"We saw the level he has performed at all season," he said. "He has been quite unlucky in the first few weeks of the season and has not got the success or luck go his way. He has been working really hard at training and off the pitch.
"The way he bowled against Wokingham (4-37) gave him a lot confidence and he kept that until this week, so long may it continue.
"More than his pace, I think it's the rhythm. I think it's a mental thing. He has the ability. He had it last year. It's getting all the other bits away from the game right. We know what seam bowlers are like when they get their tails up. It's great to see."
Next up for Horspath on the road to Lord's is a tie against Gloucestershire champions Painswick in the fifth round at the Recreation Ground on Sunday, June 22 when Amin believes the home support can again play a leading role.
"I think it is great that we have home fixtures," added Amin. "We have got to take it game by game and not look too far ahead. I think the key for us is to try and play the brand of cricket which will put us on the front foot more times than not.
"Obviously that will be tested and it will not be like that every week, but when it comes off you will get days like Sunday.
"We have got to really look to take the game to the opposition and dictate the play and tempo and play on our terms rather than have teams dictating to us, which we have seen in seasons gone by.
"With the way we play it will not always come off, but when it does come off it is something to see.
"I think the conditions will be an advantage to us. However, the boundaries are the same for both teams and so is the pitch. The key for us is in the support. It's like having a 12th man on the boundary line. Every time there's a boundary or a wicket that pushes the team and me personally, and hopefully the support will push us to where we want to be.
"I really appreciate the turn out and people getting behind us. It produces games like Sunday's and when people take the time to come and support us it's good to see them having a great time."
Having come through Horspath's youth ranks, bowling hero Asad feels he is now starting to fulfil his potential with the club, having spent a season at Cumnor in 2023.
He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the day and the atmosphere and to see so many families here.
"I bowled well. We have put a lot of work in. In the early weeks I have been trying to get wickets and pushing too much. I have just gone back to basics and bowling disciplined areas. Unfortunately, we were not able to win on the previous Saturday at Wokingham, but Sunday made up for it."
His six-wicket haul eclipsed his previous best of 5-32 for Horspath 2nd at Bledlow Village in Cherwell League Division 2 in 2021.
"It's nice that all the hard work paid off," he added. "I have had five fors and six or seven in age group but not in men's cricket.
"I am thoroughly enjoying my cricket. A couple of years ago I lost my love for the game.
"It's down to the mindset and the brand of cricket. The mindset in the club is that players are turning up and not looking at the opposition but believing in their own abilities and thinking I can win my battles.
"I think the club culture also helps with more evening events and we are going out as a team. After the game we went to Nando's on Sunday. It's how the club are getting together and celebrating.
"Thanks to everyone else in the club from members of the committee to members of the club who do all the work behind the scenes. I went on my 'loan' spell and I came back and have really enjoyed it."
Rather than focus on his own century, Viv was happy to bring joy to Horspath's supporters and see his batting partner, Tom, also hit a ton.
He said: "It was definitely nice to get runs in front of that many people. It's my first time playing in front of that type of crowd of Horspath supporters. That was the real highlight for me to see how much it meant to the people of the village and also to see Tom score a really nice 100 from the other end. They were the two highlights for me.
"I've had a lot of good days with Horspath over the last two years, but that was my favourite day because Tom did well and then Asad did well."
His brilliant 137 didn't quite surpass his previous best of 146 for Spencer 4th against Croydon 2nd in Surrey League Division 2 at the Fishponds, Tooting, in 2018.
But Viv added: "It's my highest score in 1st XI cricket at any level. I was pleased with my strike rate (153.93) and I've been pleased with the early season weeks in the Home Counties.
"It makes a big difference to have someone going as well at the other end. We had a good start with Tom and Ty. I came in feeling comfortable with less pressure than a Home Counties game as well.
"It would be nice to do that on a Saturday now and to get a league victory again."