Horspath Feast Match again lived up to its billing as one of Oxfordshire cricket's great social occasions on a warm sunny September Sunday.
With 125 players, members and guests sitting down to a splendid lunch in the Village Hall and many more watching the match from the boundary's edge it was a perfect way to bring the curtain down on another successful season.
And there weren't just big numbers off the pitch as an entertaining encounter saw Connor Wardlaw hit a superb unbeaten 100 off 67 balls on his Feast debut to steer Horspath to a five-wicket win over the President's XI.
Batting first, as is traditional, after winning the toss, the President's XI were given a solid start by Banbury duo Eddie Phillips and Lloyd Sabin with 42 for the first wicket.
Ed Oakley provided the breakthrough when he had Phillips caught and bowled for 22 before Liam Turnbull removed Sabin, the Home Counties Premier Cricket League's leading run-scorer this season, for 17 courtesy of a spectacular one-handed legside diving catch by wicket-keeper Wardlaw
Left-arm spinner Sam Leslie (2-27), another Feast debutant, chipped in with a couple of wickets to leave the President's XI 88-4.
Chris Penner, having made the journey up from Devon, and former Horspath player Alex Thomas, now with Harefield, got the President's XI back on track to see their side to lunch at 139-4.
The centre piece of the day then followed with new chef May Normington and her assistants Katie and Darcy producing a fabulous feast with Hayden Moon passing on the catering baton following a 10-year stint.
In welcoming everyone, President Denis Walker thanked all those who helped the club run smoothly and the sponsors for their support while also remembering Pat Powell and Shirley Woodcock, who sadly passed away this year.
Robbie Eason spoke on behalf of the club in amusing fashion during which he mentioned Horspath winning the Oxfordshire final of the Cawston Press Village Cup for the fifth time in six years, the 2nd XI being crowned Cherwell League champions and Adrian Manger playing for England Over 70s.
"There are an incredible number of people here today, which speaks volumes for the club and its unbelievable support on and off the field," he said. "I thank everyone for what they do for the club."
With 43 ladies present he also had a special word for the women's team. "It is great to see the game evolving and ladies' cricket going from strength to strength," he added.
Captain Wes Morrick, responded on behalf of the President's XI. "It is always an honour to be here," the legendary Aston Rowant all-rounder told the packed room. "This is a great cricket club and Oxfordshire should be very proud of this cricket club.
"Horspath continues to grow as a club and to win the league as a 2nd team is tough, so what you have achieved this year is fantastic."
Remembering the late Horspath stalwart Max Eason, father of Robbie and Director of Cricket Will Eason, he added: "I always feel this was one person's day and this was Max's day.
"He would put in an endless amount of hours on the ground and in the bar just to savour this day. You boys are doing a great job and he would be incredibly proud of you."
With Bob Chamberlain taking on his customary umpiring duties and Mark Acock joining him in the middle for his first Feast day while scorer Simon Goves clocked up the runs, play resumed following a convivial and extended lunch lasting 2hrs and 33mins.
And, as is often the case, following a lengthy interval, the President's XI's innings faltered. Thomas, having made 18, fell to the first ball after the restart when he was caught by Tyron Eyles off Mohson Rana, ending his 51-run stand for the fifth wicket with Penner.
With captain Will Eason using nine bowlers, Rana struck again before Penner completed a fine half-century with his 11th four only for his 65-ball knock to end when he was caught by Sam Leslie to give Rana (3-6) a third victim.
Morrick smashed two sixes in a quickfire 25 off 15 balls, before being run out as the President's XI fell to 183 all out with leg-spinner Josh Richardson (2-23) wrapping up the innings.
Aston Rowant seamer Lewis North reduced Horspath to 14-2 and clubmate Jacob Eaton also struck in a tidy opening spell.
But Wardlaw was in fine form at the top of the order, striking a stream of boundaries as he put on 110 for the fourth wicket with Turnbull.
The opener reached his fifty with a six down to the nets and the pair maintained the momentum with Wardlaw bringing up his century with a second six in the same direction to go with 19 fours before promptly retiring.
Turnbull moved on to 39 before falling to Morrick and it was left to Josh Cummings to hit the winning boundary through mid-wicket down as Horspath secured victory at 186-5.
Festivities continued in the Clubroom where the Jonathan Stobart Memorial Feast Cup was presented to Horspath's successful skipper Will Eason.
More of Rob Judges's pictures from the day can be viewed in Photo Galleries on this website by clicking here
Match highlights are available by clicking here