The coveted Green Jacket Award, sponsored by Greene King and their brilliant Level Head IPA, was this week claimed by a young cricketer whose performance stood tall despite soaring temperatures, a mountainous run chase, and a formidable visiting opposition.

Kyle Hay, playing for Hoddesdon CC’s HEBL 3rd XI, delivered a brilliant 79 not out from just 60 balls in a valiant run chase against Little Munden 1st XI at Thundridge on Saturday. While Hoddesdon ultimately fell short by 71 runs, Hay’s composed, fluent and powerful innings gave his side real hope and lit up what was otherwise a tough afternoon in the field and at the crease.

Hay’s efforts in the scorching heat were enough to earn him the club’s most prestigious weekly individual award — the Green Jacket — recognising the standout performer across all Hoddesdon senior sides.

And while Kyle wasn’t able to make it back to the clubhouse at Lowfield for Saturday evening’s presentation, the club caught up with him the next morning at Essendon Country Club, where he was teeing off with none other than his dad — Colin Hay, former Chairman of Hertford Town Football Club — proving that Kyle is very much an all-round sportsman both on the pitch and on the fairway.

A Mountain to Climb — and Kyle Gave Hoddy Hope
It had been a tough start to the day for Hoddesdon after stand-in captain Louis Webb won the toss and elected to field first under blazing blue skies. With temperatures pushing past 31°C, the conditions were testing, and Little Munden capitalised with a relentless display of batting, racking up a mammoth 313/7 from their 40 overs.

It was a punishing innings to contain, but despite the draining heat, the Hoddesdon side stuck at their task admirably. And when it came time to reply, it was clear that only something special would keep them in the game.

Thankfully, Kyle Hay had something special in mind.

Coming in with a mountain to climb and plenty of scoreboard pressure, Kyle played with a calm head and an authoritative bat, racing to his half-century in fine style, and ultimately finishing unbeaten on 79 from 60 deliveries — a knock that included 11 boundaries and one maximum, played all around the wicket with timing, confidence and class.

His ability to rotate the strike while punishing anything short or overpitched gave the innings tempo and kept Hoddesdon’s hopes alive deep into the contest. At one stage, the crowd at Thundridge dared to believe the miracle might be on.

Even in defeat, Kyle’s knock was the innings of the day — gutsy, graceful, and gutsy again, given the unforgiving weather and the strength of the opposition bowling.

Colin Hay: “Absolutely bursting with pride”
Kyle’s father, Colin Hay, a well-known figure in Hertfordshire sport and the former Hertford Town FC Chairman, was on hand the following day and commented oh his son's innings, beaming with pride.

Speaking to us at Essendon Country Club on Sunday morning, just before their father-son golf round, Colin said:
"I know how hard Kyle’s worked at his cricket and to have him bat like that, in those conditions, against a strong side, is just brilliant. I couldn't make the game but I have heard all about it from those that were there. It wasn’t just the runs — it was the way he carried himself, the composure, the determination. He gave Hoddy a real chance and put on a show for everyone watching.”

Colin added with a grin:
“And to go from batting for an hour in that heat to playing 18 holes with me the next morning? That’s a proper athlete right there!”

Heat, Heart and Hay
On a day when most would’ve been seeking the nearest patch of shade, Kyle Hay was in the middle, doing battle in 31-degree heat, never once showing signs of wilting. His body language never dropped. He encouraged his partners. He fought for every run. It was a captain’s knock — even though he wasn’t captain.

At the other end, Louis Webb, stepping in as stand-in skipper for the day, provided valuable support with a tidy 15*, while Tyler Burroughs also impressed with a hard-hitting 64 earlier in the innings. But it was Hay’s knock that held the innings together and gave structure and hope to the run chase.

Hoddesdon eventually finished on 242/5 from their 40 overs — a respectable total, and a reflection of the fight they showed despite the daunting target.

Green Jacket Honour — and Golf Greens Too
Due to other commitments, Kyle couldn’t make it back to Lowfield on Saturday evening for the traditional Green Jacket ceremony, where players are presented with the now-iconic green velvet jacket and a case of Level Head IPA. But thanks to the wonders of modern communication (and the 19th hole at Essendon), we were able to let Kyle know of his achievement.

He was, as ever, modest and focused on the team:
“It was great to get some runs, but I’d have swapped them all for the win. The lads really dug in — we’ve got a great bunch in the 3s and we’re improving every week. Hopefully next time we’re chasing 300, we’ll go one better.”

Kyle will be formally presented with the Green Jacket and Level Head IPA at the next opportunity back at the Lowfield clubhouse — where no doubt his teammates and supporters will give him the reception his innings deserves.

The Bigger Picture
While Saturday ended in defeat, it was also a display of what the HEBL 3rd XI can do — resilience, fight, and talent shining through in tough moments. With young players like Kyle Hay leading by example, and experienced heads like Paul Webb and Joe Robinson supporting from the top order, the future looks bright for the Saturday 3s.

Captain Louis Webb summed it up perfectly:
“We lost the game, but we found a hero. Kyle was superb — under pressure, in the heat, chasing a monster total. That’s the kind of player you want at the crease. He deserved every one of those 79 runs and every bit of the jacket he’s earned.”

Hoddesdon Cricket Club thanks Greene King for their ongoing support and invites all supporters to enjoy a pint of Level Head IPA—the perfect accompaniment to a winning weekend.

Find your nearest Greene King venue HERE.

Congratulations to Kyle, a true Level Head on the field and this week’s Green Jacket winner — a cricketer with both composure and class, and, as it turns out, a decent golf swing too.

#GreenMachine