Hundreds do not come gift-wrapped but Ryan Duffy's maiden first-class ton was a pretty good present.
The Otago opener turned 25 on Saturday and he celebrated by scoring 104 for the Volts during their Plunket Shield match against Central Districts at the University Oval.
The right-hander clipped a delivery from Navin Patel through point for a boundary to bring up the milestone.
He let out a loud "Yes'' and threw both arms in the air in delight.
He acknowledged the changing rooms first where his younger brother, Jacob Duffy, stood clapping with the rest of the Otago team.
Then he tipped his bat in the direction of his mother, Wendy Affleck, and grandmother Valarie Affleck, who were watching from the embankment.
It was a proud moment for the Duffy clan but the innings nearly came to an end on 97.
He was dropped in the gully.
The ball bobbled out of the hands of Ben Smith and fell just out of reach of his desperate lunge.
Fate, this time, was on Duffy's side. Two weeks ago he was left stranded on 90, agonisingly close to his maiden 100.
"It was more or a relief that anything else,'' Duffy said.
"To be honest it wasn't the prettiest hundred but at the end of the day I got there and it is a chip off my shoulder.
"I owe Ben Smith a beer or two [for that dropped catch].
"A wee of birthday luck, so that's good. James Neesham actually said to me during the warm-up that 25 is the year you turn potential into results.''
Duffy went to the tea break on 89 but the nerves did not hit until he reached 94 and knew he was one good hit away.
"I just wanted to get it out of the way, pretty much.''
Duffy was out sweeping not long after after raising the milestone.
Josh Finnie's dismissal for 22 shortly after Duffy's departure left the tail with too much to do.
Otago had to settle for a draw and the younger Duffy, Jacob, helped out with 13 not out at No10.
