Anyone who has played cricket against Oakridge over the past 25 or 30 years will know who Mark Robbins is.

Now 42, he is the big-hitting left-handed batsman who can clear the boundary pretty much all round the ground.

But while there is power aplenty, it’s the sweetness of his timing that sets him apart from most other players who play at the same level as him.

That level is in Division One of the Cotswold District League and Robbins admits that he could have played at a higher level, certainly back in the day.

He played Gloucestershire age group cricket from under-11 all the way through to under-18 and also played for a Gloucestershire Schools Association side that took in Avon which saw him line up alongside future England star Marcus Trescothick.

“It was at Rendcomb College,” recalled Robbins. “He was a class act and he got a hundred. It was like Tendulkar or Lara when they played Test cricket, they were a different class. Mind you, he was bigger then than he is now. If he hit the ball towards the boundary he’d only run one, not two!”

That game was some 25 years ago and that in turn is only a fraction of the time that Oakridge Cricket Club have been going.

“We were founded in 1900 and we’ve been playing on the playing fields in the village for all that time,” said Robbins. “We’ve got scorebooks going back all the way to the 1920s.”

The club have a rich history although these days, in common with a good number of village clubs, they do not have the numbers playing that they had in days gone by.

“We only run a Saturday side,” said Robbins. “In the past we’ve won divisions one, two and three of the Stroud League but we’re not as strong as we were.”

Robbins, who also kept wicket for many years before giving it up at the end of last season, is now the club’s fixture secretary while his brother Steve captains the team.

They hold the Cotswold District League record for a second-wicket partnership, which was made against North Cerney.

“We made 364 for one in 40 overs,” said Mark. “I was 214 not out and Steve made 100 and something.”

The Robbins name has been synonymous with Oakridge Cricket Club for a good number of years through their dad Dennis and uncle Lionel.

“I was born and bred in Oakridge and they are the club I always wanted to play for,” said Mark. “I used to play football for the village too.

“I had one season playing midweek evening cricket for Chalford but apart from that I’ve always played for Oakridge.”

So how did he find it playing for Chalford?

“It was nice not worrying about if we had a team,” he laughed. “I could just turn up and play cricket. I didn’t have to worry if the pitch was ready, whether the ground was ready or about the teas.

“But Oakridge have always been my club.”

As well as giving up the keeping this season Mark is happy to give others a chance to bat higher up the order.

“I’ve done my playing, I’ve scored a lot of runs,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy batting but if it means we can get a team out that’s the main thing.”

And Robbins certainly has no intention of hanging up his bat and gloves even though his son Charlie is showing some promise in the game.

“He plays for Cirencester Under-11s,” said his proud dad. “I’m coaching them. I did my coaching badges in the winter.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have had lots of good coaches over the years. They were good people and I want to give something back.”

As for himself, he said: “I want to keep playing for as long as my body allows me. My body aches until Wednesdays after cricket. I used to play football and run a few half marathons.

“But as long as I can hit the odd boundary or two, I’m happy with that.”

The bad news for bowlers of course is that it is usually a lot more that the odd boundary or two!