Skipper Robbie Eason hailed Horspath’s fairy-tale rise from obscurity to MP Sports Cherwell League champions as a “fantastic achievement.”

Controversially placed in Division 5 following the demerger with Oxford in 2004, the village club have stormed up the league before capturing the Division 1 crown on Saturday with two games to spare.

Under Adrian Manger they reeled off four successive titles, winning Division 5 (2004), Division 4 (2005), Division 3 (2006) and Division 2 (2007).

Eason took over at the helm in 2008, and in just the club’s third season in the top flight, they have secured the title for the first time in their history.

“If you had said seven seasons ago we would have done this I would have thought you were having a laugh,” said Eason.

“It is not just about the players though and what they have achieved. It is a fantastic achievement for a village club.”

Eason put his side’s success down to an all-round team effort, while at the same time giving special mention to former Oxfordshire off-spinner Paul Jeacock, the leading wicket-taker with 33 victims, and batsman Ned Murray, who has scored 565 runs at an average of 57.

“They are the two stand-out players really,” said Horspath’s captain. “But in general it has been a great team effort.

“It has been done by putting the hard yards in. We train really hard on Tuesdays and Thursdays and it has paid off. There is no fluke about what we have achieved.”

Modestly, Eason failed to mention his own huge contribution, which has seen him hit 631 runs at an average of 79.

But the 29-year-old former Oxfordshire opener admitted Horspath’s title triumph was his best moment in the game.

“To do it with my brother (Will) in the side, and with a really family-orientated club it is my finest achievement,” he said.

Now Horspath, who boast a remarkable 32-match unbeaten run in Division 1 stretching back to May 2009, are to seek election to the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League.

“We have come a long way in a short time,” added Eason. “Obviously we are looking forward to the Home Counties.

“We know it’s a massive challenge, but we will probably bring a couple of players in, and if we keep the core we’ve got, hopefully we will do OK.”

And Horspath don’t look as if they are finished yet this season in the Cherwell League as their second, third and fourth teams are on course to win their divisions to complete an unprecedented four-timer.

“It is a massive thing,” said Eason. “We have all four teams going for titles.

“It speaks volumes for how we are running the club with the youngsters coming through the set-up.”