Hoddesdon Cricket Club brought the curtain down on another memorable summer on Saturday night as the club’s 2026 End of Season Awards were presented at Lowfield, recognising the outstanding performers from across all four Saturday XIs. There was also a special and emotional presentation to departing First XI captain Rob Walters, commemorating an extraordinary 15 years leading the club’s senior side.

With the final Saturday of the cricket season completed and Lowfield preparing to be handed back to our friends at Hoddesdon Town Football Club for the next stage of their campaign, players, members, friends and supporters gathered together for one final cricketing celebration of 2026. It was an opportunity to look back on a summer containing individual brilliance, breakthrough performances, memorable victories and the countless contributions which allow Hoddesdon to put four Saturday teams onto the field week after week.

Three awards were presented for each Saturday XI, with Batter of the Year, Bowler of the Year and Player of the Year honours recognising performances throughout the campaign. From established First XI performers to some of the youngest cricketers beginning to make their mark in senior cricket, the list of recipients demonstrated the tremendous range of players currently representing Hoddesdon.

HIMESH TAKES FIRST XI DOUBLE

Himesh Ramanayake completed an outstanding season by collecting both the First XI Bowler of the Year and First XI Player of the Year awards. Hoddesdon’s overseas player has made a huge contribution with bat and ball throughout the summer, regularly producing performances when his side needed them and becoming an enormously popular figure around Lowfield in the process.

Among his memorable contributions were 60 in the opening victory at Redbourn, a superb all-round display in the early-season win at Sawbridgeworth and an unbeaten 89 away to Shenley Village. His ability to influence games in several different ways made him a natural choice for the overall award as well as recognition for his work with the ball.

Himesh said: “It has been a really enjoyable season for me and I’m very proud to receive both awards. Everyone at Hoddesdon has made me feel incredibly welcome and I’ve loved playing with this group of players, so I want to thank my teammates and everybody around the club for making the summer so special.”

The First XI Batter of the Year award went to James Mitchell, whose development into one of the club’s most exciting young batsmen continued during 2026. The highlight was a magnificent unbeaten 106 against Luton Town & Indians at Lowfield, an innings which underlined the talent and temperament that have made Mitchell such an important part of the club’s future.

James said: “I’m really pleased to win the award because there are some very good batsmen in the First XI and it means a lot to be recognised. The hundred at Lowfield was obviously a special moment for me, but hopefully it is something I can build on and come back next year an even better player.”

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ROB

One of the most significant moments of the evening came away from the regular playing awards when departing First XI captain Rob Walters was presented with a special framed image commemorating his remarkable 15 years in charge of Hoddesdon’s senior side. Committee member Mick Billson made the presentation on behalf of everybody at Hoddesdon Cricket Club, offering the club’s thanks to a captain whose association with the role has spanned generations of players.

Walters’ final campaign in charge included another century during the dramatic one-wicket victory over Dunstable and a magnificent 158 at Sawbridgeworth, while his leadership once again remained central to the First XI throughout the summer. His contribution as captain, however, stretches far beyond individual performances or a single season, and the presentation reflected the affection and respect in which he is held throughout the club.

The framed artwork showed Walters celebrating as captain and will provide a permanent reminder of an extraordinary period of service. Fifteen years leading any cricket side represents a considerable commitment, and Hoddesdon thanked Rob for the time, energy, standards and loyalty he has given to the club throughout his captaincy.

SECOND XI HONOURS FOR WEBB, HAWKINS AND STAFFORD

The Second XI Bowler of the Year award was collected by Freddie Webb after a season in which he continued to establish himself as an increasingly important member of the club’s senior cricket set-up. Webb’s performances earned the recognition of his teammates and demonstrated the value of persistence during what was often a challenging campaign for the Second XI.

Freddie said: “It’s brilliant to get the award and I’m really grateful to everyone who voted for me and supported me during the season. There have been some tough Saturdays along the way, but I’ve enjoyed my cricket and hopefully I can keep improving and contribute even more next year.”

Dan Hawkins was named Second XI Batter of the Year, recognition for a player who contributed across different levels of the club during 2026. Hawkins has been an important figure for both the Second and Third XIs, combining his own playing commitments with leadership responsibilities and remaining somebody Hoddesdon have been able to call upon throughout the campaign.

Dan said: “I wasn’t expecting it, so I’m delighted to receive the award. I’ve enjoyed being involved across the teams this year and, whatever side you are playing for, you always want to contribute and help Hoddesdon compete, so it’s really nice for the batting to be recognised.”

The Second XI Player of the Year award went to Phil Stafford, another player whose contribution cannot simply be measured by runs and dismissals. Stafford has been a regular presence in the side, taking responsibility behind the stumps when required and bringing experience and commitment to a team which battled throughout a difficult season.

Phil said: “It means a lot because Player of the Year is about what you contribute to the team as a whole. The results haven’t always gone our way this summer, but there has always been a great spirit amongst the players and I’ve been proud to represent the Second XI.”

HIGGINS, FEELY AND WEBB TAKE THIRD XI AWARDS

Scott Higgins was crowned Third XI Bowler of the Year, earning recognition for his performances during a season in which Hoddesdon’s Third XI remained competitive in a particularly entertaining Division 12 East campaign. The side produced several excellent victories during the summer and frequently found themselves involved in close contests.

Scott said: “I’m really happy to win it because we’ve had a good group in the Third XI and I’ve enjoyed every game I’ve played. Bowling awards are never just about the person with the ball either because you need catches taken and people working hard in the field, so the whole team deserves some credit.”

The Third XI Batter of the Year accolade went to Mark Feely, a familiar and dependable figure within Hoddesdon cricket. Feely played his part in several important performances during the year, including the memorable victory away to Potters Bar, where he and Reece Jones were instrumental in helping Hoddesdon secure an excellent 53-run win.

Mark said: “I’m absolutely delighted and it’s always nice to know that you’ve contributed something to the team over the course of the season. I still love playing cricket, I still love being part of this club and I’m already looking forward to doing it all again next year.”

Louis Webb completed the Third XI awards by being named Player of the Year, following a campaign in which he combined performances on the field with taking responsibility for leading the side when required. His superb five-wicket haul away to Potters Bar was one of the individual highlights of the Third XI season and also earned him the Greene King Level Head Green Jacket earlier in the summer.

Louis said: “It’s a great honour to get Player of the Year because we’ve had so many people contribute to the Third XI this season. I’ve really enjoyed taking on some extra responsibility, we’ve had some brilliant days together and hopefully there is plenty for this team to build on going into next season.”

YOUNG GUNS SHINE FOR THE FOURTH XI

There was a youthful feel to the Fourth XI awards, beginning with Freddie Lee, who was named Bowler of the Year following an impressive introduction to senior cricket. Lee had already provided one of the feel-good stories of the campaign when his three-wicket performance away to North Weald earned him the Green Jacket, demonstrating the pathway available to Hoddesdon’s younger players.

Freddie said: “I’m really proud to win the award because I’ve loved playing senior cricket this year and everyone has helped me settle into the team. Getting wickets and winning the Green Jacket earlier in the season was brilliant, and I just want to keep learning and getting better.”

Jack Bailey collected the Fourth XI Batter of the Year award after establishing himself as another young cricketer capable of making an impact at senior level. His performances across the campaign offered another encouraging sign of the talent developing through Hoddesdon’s playing structure.

Jack said: “I’m really pleased with the award and it has been a great season for me personally. Playing senior cricket teaches you a lot very quickly and I’ve enjoyed being around the team, so hopefully I can score plenty more runs for the club in the future.”

The final Fourth XI honour went to George ‘Boris’ Elsom, who was named Player of the Year after a campaign packed with progress and memorable moments. Elsom enjoyed career-best success with the bat during the summer, contributed with the ball and had already collected his own Green Jacket after one of his standout performances.

George said: “I’m buzzing to get Player of the Year because I’ve absolutely loved this season. There have been some moments I’ll remember for a long time, especially getting my best score and winning the Green Jacket, and it’s been brilliant playing with such a good group of people.”

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WORE THE BADGE

While Saturday night rightly celebrated the individual award winners, the evening also offered an opportunity to recognise everybody who represented Hoddesdon Cricket Club during 2026. Across the First, Second, Third and Fourth XIs, dozens of players have given up their Saturdays to represent the club, travelling around Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and beyond while continuing Hoddesdon’s proud tradition of fielding four league sides.

The same thanks extend to everybody who represented Charlie Tackley’s Sunday Friendly XI, providing another important strand of cricket at the club and giving players of different ages and experience another opportunity to take the field. Whether somebody played every week or answered a late call to help complete an XI, every appearance contributed towards another full summer of cricket for Hoddesdon.

Behind those players stand captains, scorers, umpires, groundstaff, selectors, committee members, volunteers, families and supporters whose work makes those matches possible. Their contribution is rarely captured by a scorecard, but without those people there would be no Saturday afternoon at Lowfield, Hertingfordbury or Thundridge and no club to celebrate together at the end of the season.

As the final awards were handed out and another Hoddesdon cricket summer drew to its conclusion, attention inevitably began to turn towards 2027. Before then, however, Lowfield passes back into the hands of our friends at Hoddesdon Town Football Club, with the sound of bat on ball giving way to football for the months ahead.

Congratulations to Himesh Ramanayake, James Mitchell, Freddie Webb, Dan Hawkins, Phil Stafford, Scott Higgins, Mark Feely, Louis Webb, Freddie Lee, Jack Bailey and George Elsom on their richly deserved awards. And to every single player who pulled on a Hoddesdon shirt during 2026, thank you for representing the club with such distinction throughout another wonderful summer at Hoddesdon Cricket Club.

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