Our second warm up game of the new season saw us back to winning ways this weekend, as Broxbourne hosted Hoddesdon in a lively and competitive pre-season friendly.

For the full scorecard and stats, click HERE.

On a crisp but sunny afternoon at Broxbourne’s well-kept ground, it was Hoddesdon who took early bragging rights for 2025, securing a deserved 25-run victory in an entertaining encounter full of promising signs for both clubs. Positives from last weeks narrow defeat at Redbourn were taken into this game to good effect. The match, while friendly in name, was fiercely competitive in nature — a perfect warm-up for the campaigns ahead.

Toss and Team News
With conditions dry and the pitch looking true, Hoddesdon captain Rob Walters had no hesitation after winning the toss, opting to bat first. It was a move that reflected early season positivity, a desire to set a total and build pressure later with the ball.

Both teams fielded strong XIs, mixing familiar senior players with younger prospects. Hoddesdon’s line-up featured established performers like Walters, Will Steward, and Martin Brown, coupled with the youthful exuberance of the likes of Charlie Tackley, Andrew Lewis and Johnny Munday, while Broxbourne had the likes of Jack Plumb, Kegan Eales, and Gianluca Silenti looking to impress.

Hoddesdon’s Innings – Solid Partnerships Set a Platform
The innings got underway with Rob Walters and Will Steward striding out purposefully. Walters looked sharp from the start, caressing a couple of delightful drives to the boundary. However, the opening partnership didn’t last long: Steward was the first to fall, caught by Roy Smith off the bowling of Gianluca Silenti for 10, a reward for Broxbourne’s early discipline with the ball.

Andrew Lewis came in at number three but struggled to get going, managing just 8 runs before also falling to Silenti’s probing line and length. Overseas player Clayton Stone followed soon after, dismissed for 9 — also falling victim to Silenti, whose early spell was both economical and penetrative.

At 61-3, Hoddesdon were in slight trouble. But Walters, ever the calming presence, steered the ship. Mixing smart rotation of the strike with some crisp boundaries, he kept the scoreboard ticking. His innings of 36 off 34 balls was a typical captain's effort — composed yet assertive, setting the tone for those to follow. His stay at the crease ended when he was bowled by Warren Pegg.

From there, it was about gritty accumulation rather than fireworks. Johnny Munday anchored the middle and lower order superbly, adding vital runs. His 80 not out was invaluable in ensuring Hoddesdon had something defendable. Om Thakeria (4), Harry Mason (2), and Muhammad Hasan Ali (2) couldn’t hang around for long, but lower-order runs from the wiley Martin Brown (35) and evergreen Rob Harcombe (6*) nudged the total upwards.

Extras also played their part — 16 runs, including 10 wides, gifted by Broxbourne — and when the innings closed at 205 for 8 from 40 overs, Hoddesdon would have felt quietly confident.

Broxbourne’s Bowling Effort – Patches of Precision
Broxbourne's bowlers had some excellent moments. Gianluca Silenti was undoubtedly the standout, taking 3 wickets for 38 runs and looking a real threat every time he had ball in hand. His early double strike set the tone.

Warren Pegg (2-31) offered control and key breakthroughs, notably removing the dangerous Walters. Jack Turnbridge (1-34) also bowled with great rhythm, while Kegan Eales and Lewie Higgs both chipped in with tight spells. The fielding, however, was typically "early-season" — a few misfields and wayward throws cost runs at crucial stages. Still, Broxbourne would have been relatively satisfied with keeping Hoddesdon to just over 200 on a quick outfield.

Broxbourne’s Chase – Jack Plumb’s Lone Resistance
Set 206 for victory, Broxbourne’s innings started brightly but soon ran into trouble. George Davies departed early, falling to Brown and Steward, and at 22-1, the hosts were up against it. Gav Kay looked in good touch early, but after racing to 25, he sent a delivery from Ali again into the waiting gloves of wicket keeper Will Steward.

Enter Jack Plumb. Calm, composed, and technically sound, Plumb set about repairing the innings. His 84 off 104 balls was a gem of an innings — full of crisp timing, sensible shot selection, and the occasional boundary to keep the pressure at bay. He forged partnerships with Kegan Eales (25), Josh Goff (10), and Lewie Higgs (8), but wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Eales was caught by Andrew Lewis off the bowling of Munday, Goff was caught by Harry Mason, again off the bowling of the young Munday and Higgs fell to Om Thakeria’s sharp delivery, caught again by the expert gloves of Steward behind the stumps.

Despite Plumb’s brilliance, the asking rate continued to creep upwards. Broxbourne’s innings faltered at key moments, unable to string together a match-winning stand. Walters, enjoying a dream day, removed Gianluca Silenti cheaply, and Broxbourne’s last pair couldn’t resist for long. They were bowled out for 180 in the 40th over, falling 25 runs short, the excellent Plumb finally bowled by the irresistible Walters.

Hoddesdon’s Bowling – Disciplined and Decisive
Hoddesdon’s bowlers produced a strong collective display. Ali took 2 for 20, doing early damage and setting the tone. Johnny Munday chipped in with 2 for 34, and Rob Walters, having earlier top-scored, wrapped things up with 2 for 9 from just 1.1 overs.

Martin Brown, Harry Mason, and Om Thakeria also bowled useful spells, never letting Broxbourne’s batters settle fully. There were a few wayward deliveries early on — no surprise in April — but overall, Hoddesdon controlled the game smartly once they sniffed victory. Just the one wide delivery will please Walters, despite the seven no balls being offered up. Broxbourne’s players, meanwhile, were left to reflect on the ‘what ifs’ — especially given how close they came thanks to Jack Plumb’s valiant innings.

Star Performers
Rob Walters (Hoddesdon CC) – 36 runs, 8 bundaries, 2 wickets, brilliant captaincy
Jack Plumb (Broxbourne CC) – 84 runs off 104 balls, a lone stand of real class
Gianluca Silenti (Broxbourne CC) – 3 wickets, threatened throughout
Will Steward (Hoddesdon CC) – 3 catches, early breakthroughs vital, golden gloves
Johhny Munday (Hoddesdon CC) - 2 middle order wickets, 80 not out off 100 balls, including eight 4's

Looking Ahead
Both sides will take heart from the afternoon’s play. Hoddesdon will feel encouraged that even without firing on all cylinders, they could post a defendable score and deliver a strong bowling performance. Walters brings his side back to Lowfield for the first time for the new season next Saturday, hosting Enfield in a final warm up game before the league campaign begins proper.

Broxbourne, despite the loss, can be excited about their young talents, particularly Plumb and Silenti. With a bit more sharpness in the field and tighter middle-order batting, they’ll be a real handful once the season gets into full swing.

If Saturday is anything to go by, cricket fans in the area are in for a thrilling summer.

Final Score:
Hoddesdon CC – 205/8 (40 overs)
Broxbourne CC – 180 all out (39.1 overs)

Result: Hoddesdon CC won by 25 runs.

Match Officials: Maddalena Silenti and Liz Woods

For the full scorecard and stats, click HERE.

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