Hoddesdon Cricket maintained its very positive start to the 2019 Season; after three rounds of League matches its 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams have won all their games and head their respective divisions. Away to newly-promoted Old Owens, the 1st Team lost the toss and were invited to bat first on a wicket of inconsistent bounce that offered plenty to the bowlers - and especially later in the day to the spinners. Under these circumstances Hoddesdon’s score of 321-9, based around an opening partnership of 79 between Rob Walters (83) and Jamie Curtis (28), was way above par. On Curtis’ departure Walters and Jayden Broodryk (145) put on a further 104. The top three are certainly in good form having amassed between them 780 runs in three matches for the loss of 5 wickets.

When Walters departed, those that followed pursued quick runs and lost their wickets to the cause. A remarkable final passage of play saw Harry Mason join Broodryk for the final few overs, the two of them putting on 50 in 21 balls in just 13 minutes, Broodryk’s contribution 49 and Mason’s a single. Lest there is any doubt Broodryk can hit a “long ball”. Old Owens were never in it after the ubiquitous Broodryk knocked over both opening batsmen early doors and mustered only 182. Harry Mason particularly enjoyed himself on a helpful wicket with 4-31 off his allotted ten overs.

Back at Lowfield, the 2nd team had an astonishing game against Northchurch. Hoddesdon’s 220 (Leat 46, Fryers 32, Achillea 38 and Sturdy 34) seemed at least 30 short when Northchurch recovered from the loss of two wickets to Matt Stevenson in his first over and were cruising at 160-3 off only 30 overs. And then Matt Stevenson intervened in a remarkable way. Not content merely with a hat-trick he went one better taking four wickets in four consecutive balls as Northchurch lurched from 160-3 to 160 -7 and then to 194 all out. Stevenson’s rockets: 10–1-34 7.

The 3rd team win was always comfortable away at Parkfield and Headstone. Nick Gandon (82) was the main contributor in Hoddesdon’s 180-9 off 45 overs while Rob Harcombe (5-25) inflicted the major damage as Parkfield and Headstone struggled towards 163-8.

At Roydon a strong Southgate Compton side, whose 1st team are now in effect playing as a second team at a level below their ability, defeated the 4th team, Hoddesdon’s 152 being overhauled for the loss of five wickets, despite Terry Savanhu, bowling fast and straight, taking a flutter of early wickets.