In a match that ultimately ended in defeat for Hoddesdon 1st XI, one performance stood head and shoulders above the rest — and it belonged to the man in the middle of the pitch for much of the day, Oliver Arkinstall.

The classy all rounder tore through Preston’s middle order and tail to return remarkable figures of 6 for 77 from 18.2 overs, earning him the prestigious Greene King Level Head Green Jacket for his efforts.

The match, played at Lowfield on Saturday, saw Preston win the toss and elect to bat on what looked like a good surface for runs. But they hadn’t accounted for Arkinstall’s devastating accuracy and unwavering intensity. From the outset, he bowled with real purpose and movement, keeping the Preston batters on their toes and regularly beating the outside edge.

Arkinstall’s six-wicket haul included a series of key breakthroughs just when it looked like Preston were beginning to build partnerships. His dismissal of Wiggington and Stevens was a turning point, and by the time he wrapped up the tail, he had not only completed his five-wicket haul — he’d added a sixth for good measure.

Although Preston were eventually bowled out for 266 in the 60th over, largely thanks to Arkinstall’s heroics and further support from Muhammad Hasan Ali (2-29) and Om Thakeria (2-89), it was still a challenging target on a surface beginning to show variable bounce.

Hoddesdon’s reply got off to a steady start, but they were unable to string together enough partnerships to ever truly threaten Preston’s total. Despite some resistance in the middle order, the innings eventually closed at 191 all out in the 46th over — a 75-run defeat and a missed opportunity at home. The 9 points collected provided some consolation, but it was a disappointing result for Rob Walters’ men, who are still seeking greater consistency as the second half of the season unfolds.

Yet amidst the frustration, there was one glowing highlight — Arkinstall’s performance with the ball, which drew praise from teammates and opposition alike. The six-wicket return was a reminder of his quality and composure on the biggest stages.

His reward came later that evening in the Hoddy clubhouse, as first team spin bowler and last week’s winner Harry Mason presented Arkinstall with the Greene King Level Head Green Jacket and a case of their award-winning session IPA. Mason shared a few words as he handed it over: “Olly’s spell was top class — relentless, intelligent, and gutsy. He deserved the jacket this week hands down. It was a serious shift.”

Arkinstall’s efforts stood out despite tough competition from around the club. Muhammad Hasan Ali’s tidy spell also caught the eye, and several 2nd and 3rd XI performances were in the mix for consideration. But in the end, the scale and quality of Olly’s six-wicket haul couldn’t be ignored.

The Greene King Level Head Green Jacket, now a beloved weekly tradition at Hoddesdon CC, celebrates outstanding individual displays across all senior teams — and Arkinstall becomes the latest name to join an ever-growing list of local legends to wear the velvet with pride.

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.

Despite the result, the club will take great heart from Arkinstall’s showing, and with several crunch fixtures still to come, they’ll be hoping he continues to lead the charge with ball in hand. As the sun set on Lowfield and the Level Head flowed, one thing was clear — on a tough day for the team, Oliver Arkinstall gave Hoddy plenty to cheer about.

#GreenMachine