Combe's Robbie Nicholson used the inspiration of his schoolmate Curtly Slatter as he smashed two unbeaten centuries in a weekend in the OCA League.

Nicholson, who celebrated his 17th birthday yesterday, scored 143 not out in Combe’s Division 3 victory against Clifton Hampden on Saturday.

He followed this up with another unbeaten ton (115no) a day later in his team’s 97-run success against Oxenford in the Telegraph Cup.

And the youngster, who has now scored four centuries for Combe, said the ton double of his close friend Slatter, playing for Great & Little Tew a few weeks ago, was all the inspiration he needed.

He said: “Against Clifton Hampden, I felt in good form from ball one. I felt confident from the start and it was definitely my best innings ever. I don’t think I gave a chance.

“I told my teammates that evening that I would do it again the next day, just like Curtly had done.

“I said ‘anything he can do, I can do better’. I got a lot of stick from the lads, but I was really determined to do it.”

Nicholson was a man of his word as he smashed 115 not out batting at No 3.

“I had been working in the morning and actually arrived 15 minutes late,” he said.

“Julian Chaundy, the captain told me to put my pads on, and I was soon in.

“It was a great feeling to get a second century, and I will certainly be having a few words with Curtly – I got one more run than him.”

Slatter scored 257 runs in a weekend at the end of last month, and Nicholson went one better with 258.

Despite this, he would swap both tons for a victory against Stonesfield this weekend.

He said: “Our games against Stonesfield are always the biggest of the season.

“We are big rivals, so I would happily give them both up tons to get one against Stonesfield this Saturday.”