Going into the home game with Buckingham Town on the third Saturday in August 2016, Horspath were steaming along at the top of Division 2 as the promotion race entered its final weeks. However, arch rivals Oxford were hot on their heels and with Amersham also in contention there was no room for slip-ups.
Looking back at the highlights from the club's YouTube channel, which can be accessed here (for full screen click on play and then the word 'YouTube'), the first thing that quickly becomes apparent is how breezy it was that day with the trees at the far end of the ground swaying continuously in the strong wind.
With an unsettled forecast and knowing that the elements could well play a part, Robbie resolved to take the attack to Buckingham after Horspath were put in to bat. He made a superb 126 not out from 154 balls to take Horspath to a formidable 260-5, before the visitors were bowled out for 161 to secure a 99-run victory.
His splendid century, which included 19 fours and two sixes, eclipsed the club's previous Home Counties best of 108 made by Pakistan overseas star Rameez Raja just nine weeks earlier, coincidentally, in the drawn away game at Buckingham. The victory also proved pivotal as Horspath went on to be crowned champions.
Robbie recalls: "I remember it was a really windy day with rain about and we were pushing for promotion. There was quite a lot riding on that game. Oxford were really close to us and Amersham were not far behind. Oxford were on 276 points and we were on 282. With it being Oxford as well it added a bit more to it.
"I knew when Buckingham won the toss and stuck us in we had to post a decent total because it was a 50-overs game. I had a good record against them and was quite confident. I was in good form, I had trained hard and worked on some stuff with Rameez, who was good at giving steely advice.
"With it being a 50-overs games I needed to be a bit more aggressive than in the lunch and tea format. The ball was moving about a bit early on and I got through that stage and starting attacking it a bit more. These things don't happen often, but it just clicked. My feet were moving well. My head was in a good position and I had a good bat as well. Everything went off the bat early on and hit the gaps."
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| Horspath's side who beat Buckingham by 99 runs |
Following the century opening stand against Buckingham, Horspath were rocked by the loss of four wickets for just one run as they slumped to 124-5. However, that only set the scene for Robbie and Adam Price to share an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 136, which would put the game out of Buckingham's reach. Price was at his most destructive as he bludgeoned an unbeaten 75 off 53 balls with 11 fours and three sixes.
Robbie adds: "I think he helped me out. Jimmy (Phillips), Rameez and Shahbaz (Ali) had all gone. I have always thought about naming my best ever Horspath side and the people I would have in there would probably be a bit controversial. Pricey would definitely be in that bracket.
"We got him from Oxford where he was surplus to requirements a bit. He was an interesting character, but a real maverick and he came in and just smashed it. He hit one massive six - I think it may have gone over a house. He had a great eye, but you never knew what you were going to get from him. He was a freak and super talented. I let Pricey take centre stage and picked it up after that. I could be batting even now and they would not get me out."
Robbie had proved a thorn in Buckingham's side in the past - from the day he made his league debut as a 13-year-old for the 2nd XI and batted for many overs in a rearguard action to help earn a draw at their Bourton Road ground.
"I have had some of my best games against them," he says. "I got 90 not out over there. I was skipper when we were in (Cherwell League) Division 1 and we were third that year behind them and Dinton, who won it. We went over there and beat them. We needed ten an over for the last ten overs and we got to the last over and Will (Eason) was batting and James Gear was bowling. I think we needed about 12 off the last over and he hit a six and a four and we got them. The year before that I had got 122 not out against Buckingham in the Cherwell League.
"The 126 not out is probably the most fluent I think I have ever batted. It would probably be up there with the two other innings against Buckingham. It is definitely in my top three."
Watch this space in the coming days and weeks as we delve further into the Horspath archives. If you've got a game you would like featuring or a feat of brilliant batting or bowling drop me a text or call me, Russell Smith, on 07866 953987. It doesn't have to be a 1st team game, it could be from the 2nd, 3rd or 4th XIs or a youth team fixture.
Posted by: Russ