Friday evening brought more than just sunshine to Hoddesdon — it marked the electrifying return of All Stars cricket at Lowfield, and what a night it was.

The first session of the 2025 season kicked off with colour, excitement, and a wave of young cricketing enthusiasm that has well and truly set the tone for the weeks ahead.

With over 80 bright-eyed youngsters — including around 55 under 8s and 25 aged 8+ — flooding the club’s outfield, it was a heartwarming sight that would have made even the most seasoned cricketer pause for pride. This was grassroots cricket at its absolute finest: buzzing energy, joyous chaos, and the unmistakable thwack of bat on ball.

The evening wasn’t just a win for junior development — it was a complete club triumph. From committee members and coaches to bar staff and ground crew, the entire Hoddesdon family rolled up their sleeves to deliver a seamless and memorable evening. And at the centre of it all? A hive of smiles, laughter, and sporting spirit that proved, yet again, why Hoddesdon Cricket Club is one of the true pillars of the local sporting community.

A JUNIOR TAKEOVER: YOUNG COACHES STEP UP
One of the standout features of the night was the emergence of a new generation of leaders. Eight junior volunteers, aged between 12 and 17, took up assistant coaching roles, helping guide the young All Stars with confidence and maturity beyond their years.

Leading the older group was Clayton Stone, the club’s overseas first team player for the 2025 season. A natural with the kids, Clayton’s sessions were sharp, fun, and educational — a perfect mix for this early phase of development.

These young volunteers weren’t just placeholders either. Their contribution was critical in maintaining engagement across the sprawling group, with drills, encouragement, and that all-important sense of fun making them instant favourites with the kids.

FROM THE BAR TO THE BOUNDARY
The success of the night wasn’t confined to the field. Back at the clubhouse, a bustling scene unfolded as parents and families soaked up the early May sunshine with a drink in hand and the tantalising scent of Burgers, Curry and Hot Dogs in the air.

Harry behind the bar kept the refreshments flowing — soft drinks, beers, wine — you name it. For a brief few hours, Lowfield became a miniature festival of cricket.

Perry, normally a mainstay behind the bar, pulled double duty by donning his coaching hat, providing welcome support on the field. Guy ran his section with infectious energy, keeping his group of All Stars completely immersed from first ball to last.

Special credit also goes to Melissa, whose social media promotion in the lead-up helped boost attendance with five extra sign-ups arriving within 20 minutes of the session starting. It's the kind of community engagement that turns a good night into a great one.

A TITAN BEHIND THE SCENES
While everyone played their part, Man of the Match honours were unanimously awarded to Steve. Working until 2am the night before to finalise logistics, he was back behind the bar by opening time, juggling new membership processing, card distribution, and countless other admin tasks with calm and grace.

The result? Dozens of new families signed up, fully integrated into the club community by the end of the evening. A Herculean effort, and one that did not go unnoticed.

ON THE PITCH: U9S KEEP WINNING STREAK ALIVE
Amid the flurry of All Stars activity, the club's Under 9s, under the expert stewardship of Mick Billson and Jamie Curtis, continued their unbeaten start to the season, away at Bengeo. Four games in, and four victories on the bounce — a phenomenal achievement at any level, and one that speaks volumes about the coaching, preparation, and team spirit cultivated within this age group.

Credit must go to Alan Casbard, who has once again masterfully overseen the fixture planning to keep the squad active and competitive. It's that kind of behind-the-scenes diligence that underpins everything happening on the pitch.

THE ALL STARS PATHWAY: A STRUCTURE FOR SUCCESS
But the night wasn’t just about the fun of one evening — it was about laying the foundation for a structured, progressive cricketing journey at Hoddesdon. Here's how the junior pathway shapes up:

All Stars (Ages 5–8)
Training Fridays (6–7.15pm) and Sundays (11–12pm), this is where the love of cricket begins. Under the guidance of Coach Scott and his team, the focus is simple: fun, confidence, and basic skills. It’s cricket in its purest, most joyous form.

U9 Cadets (Years 2–4)
Replacing the former ‘Dynamos’ group, the Cadets are a stepping stone between All Stars and competitive cricket. Still coached by Scott, these sessions add a layer of game understanding while preparing the kids for matches against other teams. Training mirrors All Stars times and matches are aimed for Sunday mornings.

U9/U10 Squad (Years 4 & 5)
Led by Mick and Jamie, this squad trains Fridays (6–7.30pm) and Sundays (10–12pm). Matches, often on Friday evenings, offer a great blend of competition and inclusion, with a rotation system in place to ensure fair playtime for all. Oversight from Clive ensures the ethos of development is never lost in pursuit of results.

U11/U12/U13 Squad (Years 6–8)
With Guy and Clayton at the helm, these squads play midweek fixtures and train Sundays (10–12pm). The goal here is progression into more strategic, competitive cricket, while still making sure all juniors get game time appropriate to their level.

For Year 8s, there's an exciting twist — they are eligible for senior cricket, with open invitations to attend adult training on Tuesdays and Thursdays (6–8pm). It’s a bold but rewarding transition, and one that the club manages with great care.

CALLING PARENTS: GET INVOLVED!
As the junior section continues to grow, so does the need for support. Whether it’s helping with admin, scoring, match day logistics, or even exploring a role in coaching, every pair of hands makes a difference.

Friday night made one thing clear: this club thrives when the community gets behind it. If tonight was the opening chapter, imagine what the rest of the season will bring with even more parents on board.

THE VERDICT: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
From the carefully marked-out pitches to the smell of the food from the kitchen, from the roaring cheers of kids smacking their first ball to the hum of conversation outside the clubhouse — this was a night that ticked every box.

It was cricket, yes. But it was also so much more: community, laughter, growth, and togetherness. As the sun dipped behind the clubhouse and the final stumps were pulled from the ground, one sentiment echoed all around Lowfield:

“What a night.”

And the best part? The season hasn’t even really started yet.

To find out more about our Friday Night All Stars Program and to enroll your child, simply click HERE or download the document below.

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