Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s Green Jacket award for this weekend has gone to a player who is fast making his mark at Lowfield — newcomer Greg Marsh, who produced a brilliant innings in only his second outing for the club, turning heads with a composed and classy 74 for the Saracens 3rd XI on Saturday.

Marsh, a local schoolteacher by day and clearly a cricketer of serious ability, was a standout performer for the 3rd XI under the captaincy of Dan Hawkins, as they faced Southgate Adelaide in a spirited contest at their home base — Hertingfordbury’s picturesque ground, where the team play their home fixtures.

It was a day that ended in a 7-wicket loss for Hoddesdon, but one where Marsh’s innings provided real encouragement for the side, showcasing both technique and temperament that bode well for future matches. His knock of 74 from 91 deliveries, studded with 6 crisp boundaries, was the foundation of Hoddesdon’s total of 161 all out in 36.2 overs — a competitive score given the moist conditions and some challenging bowling from the visitors.

In recognition of this excellent display, Marsh was awarded the prestigious Green Jacket award, kindly sponsored by Greene King and their popular Level Head IPA. The award was presented to Marsh back at the Lowfield clubhouse after the game, where the team, supporters and fellow club members gathered to toast his efforts. The presentation, which saw Marsh don the green velvet jacket and receive a celebratory case of Level Head, was made by none other than 3rd XI captain Dan Hawkins, in front of a warm and appreciative crowd.

Despite the result on the day, Marsh’s performance was a real bright spot. Coming to the crease with the innings at a delicate stage, batting at number 4, he showed excellent judgement against some accurate seam bowling, mixed with occasional spin, and worked the ball cleverly around the field. His ability to rotate the strike while dispatching the bad ball to the boundary impressed those watching, and for long periods he looked in complete control.

Reflecting on the innings, captain Dan Hawkins said:
“Greg was superb today. He gave us the backbone of the innings and really played with great maturity. Considering it’s only his second game for the club, to deliver an innings of that quality was outstanding. He’s been a fantastic addition to the group both on and off the field, and thoroughly deserves the Green Jacket this week.”

In truth, Marsh faced stiff competition for the accolade. Across the club, there were several notable performances that might easily have secured the award in another week. 1st XI captain Rob Walters cracked a commanding century away at Old Owens CC — an innings unfortunately curtailed by the weather, as rain brought a premature end to the contest.

Meanwhile, in the HEBL 3rd XI’s away fixture at Matching Green, Ross Maughn played a typically stylish knock of 43, while veteran Paul Webb contributed a fine 44 in the same match. Both innings were highly valued by their respective sides and earned praise from those in attendance at the reduced overs game.

The 2nd XI also saw a strong performance with the bat — skipper Adrian Lee leading from the front with an accomplished 59 from 90 balls in a hard-fought contest at home to Kings Langley CC, another game that sadly ended in defeat but saw plenty of positives.

With such strong contenders across all teams, the Green Jacket panel had no easy decision to make, but ultimately Marsh’s innings, given the context and quality of the opposition, won the day.

As for the match itself, the Saracens 3rd XI fought hard after posting 161, but Southgate Adelaide paced their run chase effectively, reaching the target for the loss of just three wickets. The result, though disappointing, didn’t overshadow the spirit shown by the Hoddesdon side, nor the individual brilliance of Marsh’s contribution.

The Green Jacket award has quickly become a popular feature of the Hoddesdon CC week, shining a light on standout individual performances across all teams and giving players from 1st XI to 3rd XI sides the chance to claim club-wide bragging rights. Sponsored by Greene King — whose Level Head IPA has proven a clubhouse favourite — the award is more than just a personal honour; it fosters club unity and recognition for efforts across the board.

Club chairman Ian Munday also paid tribute to Marsh’s efforts:
“Greg’s innings sounds like it was a very good watch. He’s fitted into the club superbly and his contribution this weekend really underlines what a strong addition he is to the squad. The Green Jacket is about celebrating performances at all levels of the club, and it’s brilliant to see a new player stepping up and earning it so early in his Hoddesdon career.”

As Marsh posed for photos with the jacket and his celebratory case of Level Head, the sense of camaraderie in the clubhouse was clear — and with summer cricket in full swing, there will no doubt be many more contenders vying for the award in the weeks ahead.

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.

For now, congratulations go to Greg Marsh, a worthy Green Jacket winner, and a player Hoddesdon supporters will be eager to watch develop as the season progresses.

Watch this space.

#GreenMachine