THIRTEEN-year-old Tom Costley was on cloud nine after the youngster smashed his maiden league century for Ducklington on Saturday.

The teenager, who plays in Ducklington’s first team in Division 7 of the OCA League, finished unbeaten on exactly 100 as Ducklington posted a crushing 269-run victory over Westbury 2nd.

His captain, Andy Walker, had earlier scored 115 as Ducklington posted 361-6 from their 45 overs.

Costley’s feat was all the more remarkable as he came in at No 8 in the batting order, and reached three figures in just 17 overs with 16 fours.

He said: “I knew I was getting close to it and when I was in the 90s, I was really nervous.

“When I got the hundred, I was excited and relieved, as there wasn’t very long to go.”

Costley, whose previous highest score was 60 not out for Ducklington 2nds last year, is part of Oxfordshire’s Under 13 squad, where he is considered a bowler rather than a batsman.

But he said he is developing the latter Costley said: “The coaching in the winter was brilliant, and I am quite happy to bat between six and eight because there’s no pressure on me to get a big score.”

His next county match is on June 6, when he might be pushing for a batting role.

Costley learnt yesterday that he will receive a £500 scholarship from the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust.