A dose of the Woodwards helps Wossy & Sturdz put Chipperfield to bed.

Hoddy 2’s travelled to the village of Chipperfield on Saturday in what was a must win game. With a certain eeriness to the surroundings, Hoddesdon’s bowlers looked to start well after winning the toss and electing to field. Max Murray started very well at the top end bowling a tight and disciplined line. The other opener Rocco Cuffaro couldn’t find his length and was bowling full tosses which were being dispatched into the woods on the leg side (where Tom Fryers repeatedly claimed he could hear voices within the trees after retrieving the ball). Cuffaro was soon taken off after a poor start conceding 22 runs off just 3 overs, and Oliver Maughan was brought on to replace him. M. Murray finished his spell and Adam Sturdy replaced him. The bowling changes worked effectively with Maughan getting rid of both openers. This brought in the danger man Mepham who immediately smashed Maughan into the trees.

Hoddesdon knew that he could change the complexion of the game and getting his wicket was vital. With Sturdy plugging away at one end, Maughan managed to dismiss Mepham at the other with a teasing delivery which led to a thick outside edge which Sturdy caught. With the score 67-3, Hoddy were in pursuit of taking more wickets. However, J Bunnings alongside Padhani frustrated Hoddy. Cuffaro was then brought back on and managed to find his line and length and recovered well from his poor first spell. Sturdy continued to bowl well, however neither bowler could find a breakthrough despite many play and misses. Padhani continued to bat sensibly and stabilised Chipperfield’s innings. Bunnings never looked comfortable at the crease however and Sturdy eventually dismissed him for 15 after facing 84 balls. This brought in Durrant who was another big hitter. Tom Fryers was brought on and despite getting hit around a bit managed to get Durrant out after a chesty catch from Tyler Burroughs. Sturdy then picked up 2 more wickets before Padhani eventually reached his fifty. Padhani was then eventually dismissed by Sturdy and picked up his fifth wicket soon after a dodgy but frustrating cameo from Mahmood at the end of the innings. Fryers picked up the last wicket and Chipperfield ended on 174.

Hoddesdon’s openers Fryers and Lee started well in reply to Chipperfield’s total until Lee was outdone by a slower ball from captain Mepham and was bowled for 12. However, Ross Angelini looked to build a partnership with Fryers and the two batted with flair and confidence on a drying wicket and outfield. However, Fryers was caught behind by Mepham for 39 after flashing at a wide ball. Nick Gandon came in at 4 and showed his class and experience by batting excellently alongside Angelini. The pair put on 92 for the 3rd wicket with Angelini reaching a brilliant half century which was well deserved after working exceptionally hard both at training and out on the middle over the past few weeks and months. Gandon was out for 41, however Hoddesdon were in control of the game and despite losing Burroughs for 8 as well, Angelini finished the game off ending on 69*.

It had been some time since the 2’s won a game and revenge on Chipperfield was sweet especially after the result earlier in the season. All the bowlers bowled very well with Max Murray and Oliver Maughan with their consistency and Rocco Cuffaro for showing a bit of resilience in his second spell. However the standout performers were Adam Sturdy with excellent figures of 5-24 off 15 overs and Ross Angelini with a superb half century. Also, captain Adrian Lee deserves some credit for firstly winning the toss (for a change) and having faith in his bowlers. Hoddesdon will look to feed off the confidence from this victory and bring their A games to Shenley next week for back to back wins.

Words by Rocco Cuffaro (again)