Super Saturday See's Hoddesdon 1st XI go Top of the league

Hoddy Vs West Herts

Saturday saw Hoddesdon 1st XI make the journey to Watford to take on a struggling West Herts side. The clear skies gave hope to the men from Lowfield for their first completed fixture in 3 weeks following 2 washouts, and with important fixtures happening elsewhere, a win would provide opportunity to close the gap or even overtake the league leaders.

Walters, demonstrating his prowess as Captain, instinctively lost the toss and on what looked a fine batting surface, West Herts unsurprisingly elected to bat. Despite this, the new ball looked to offer something for the Hoddesdon openers and after early unsuccessful LBW appeals from Asian swing bowler, Mead, Sam Davis took a fine caught and bowled to remove Griffin. This then brought Matthew Smith to the crease, who Hoddesdon felt was their greatest threat. Shortly after Smith’s arrival, Asian James was unwillingly removed from the attack due to a reoccurring injury to his Achilles. Fortunately, Mead has returned to his village to receive the care and attention of an elder healer, and looks to be fit for the important clash Vs Botany Bay this weekend.
Smith looked to score positively early on, rapidly overtaking Lewis, who seemed to struggle against the disciplined Hoddesdon attack. Regularly finding fielders with the few attacking shots played, Lewis was somewhat unlucky when he connected with a short delivery from Thorne, only to be dismissed for 23 by a fine diving catch at mid-wicket from Anthony “The Fossil” Higgs. Once carefully helped to his feet by his team mates, Hoddesdon not only celebrated the important second wicket, but the imminent break for Lunch after a successful session.

Walters’ men were pleased with their first session despite the damage the team had taken physically. Mead was joined by Higgs on the injured players list when the veteran left hander pulled up in pursuit of a ball in the outfield due to a pulled hamstring. However the team were thankful it was nothing worse, especially with the health risks associated with a man of his age. Hoddesdon could be pleased with the inroads they had made in the morning session. The plan to bowl in a consistent area, dry the scoring and force batsman in to taking risks had paid dividends. They had made it very difficult for the West Herts batsmen to score more than 3 an over but Walters was in no mood to become complacent as he stressed at the break, the importance of taking the remaining 8 wickets and the danger of letting the current batsmen at the crease becoming settled.
Lunch was served a little late, but this didn’t trouble the boys from Hoddesdon as they tucked in to the two pasta dishes and accompanying garlic bread. They were lucky not to suffer a further injury in the break when Martin Brown nearly lost fingers when aggressively indulging in a slice of the home made cake.

Play resumed and the reintroduction of young spinner, George Duke in to the attack proved vital as his accurate bowling removed the dangerous Smith for 47 and quick scoring Warren for 29, caught and LBW respectively. After the dismissals, normal play resumed as the West Herts batsmen struggled to play positively as both Brown and Duke continued to bowl economically picking up wickets at regular intervals. Duke was particularly impressive finishing with figures of 4-46 off of his 18 overs.
Despite one partnership, Hoddesdon were able to take the remaining wickets and limit West Herts to a below par total of 187, meaning at the half way stage, Hoddesdon left the field of play, pleased with their bowling and fielding efforts.

With their sights firmly set on making short work of the West Herts total, Skipper Walters and Rob Jones made their way to the crease, eager to impose themselves on the West Herts attack. Unfortunately, despite his rich vein of form, Walters was removed without scoring much to the delight of the opposition, with the third ball of the innings. Not the ideal start. Jones was joined at the crease by Davis, also in fine form with the bat, and set about pursuing the West Herts total with slightly more caution after the loss of the first wicket. Both looked to punish the bad ball and respect the good, and looked to be building a strong partnership until Jones was given LBW following poor shot selection just as the opener looked to have become settled at the crease.

Shortly after, Davis was also removed, caught at mid-on shortly before the tea break leaving West Herts with high hopes of a potential upset given that due to the fine form of Walters and Davis, the remainder of the Hoddesdon batting line up had experienced relatively little time at the crease and a nasty case of pad rash. Nonetheless, Australian Bailey and Todd Sturdy set about rebuilding the innings and began to set themselves as play stopped for tea.

After a short tea break consisting of a wide range of sandwiches, crisps, sausages as well as pizzas and a fine selection of home baked cakes, Walters gathered the team to clearly outline the plan for the rest of the game, re focus and bring home another 30 points. Bailey and Sturdy were only too happy to oblige. They cautiously made headway in to the remaining 140 runs, punishing the bad ball, picking up singles and ensuring no needles risks were taken prematurely. As the pair spent more time at the crease, their confidence built with Bailey pouncing on any short delivery, dispatching it over square leg and Sturdy using his feet to free his arms and lift the ball with attractive strokes over cover and mid-off. It wasn’t long until the pair reached their hard earned half centuries, and the importance of their partnership could be seen clearly on the faces of the supporting Hoddesdon faces who greeted their teammate’s achievements with both loud applause, and an array of grime and garage lyrics, courtesy of an easily excitable Rhys Jones.
With just 30 runs left in the chase, Bailey was caught at cover, looking to finish the game in a hurry, though deserved to see the team home after a gutsy performance following recent low scores. This did not disturb the concentration of Sturdy who continued to find the boundary in his unbeaten 72, including a huge 6 directed at the club house and dangerously close to the bouncy castle. Although Hoddesdon lost the wicket of Brown late on, the injured Higgs made his way to the crease to hit the winning runs and ably assist the Green Jacket and game winning performance of Sturdy to see Hoddesdon home to an important victory.

The joys of the side and the club were only to be built on later in the day as news of wins for both the 2nd and 3rd XI led to a 90 point weekend for the club, the first in years. The success of one team in difficult circumstances is an achievement, but the success experienced on the field by all 3 teams is only a testament to the work that has been placed off of it, not only by those donning the badge on the weekend, but the tireless support and efforts of those off of it. It cannot be underestimated the extent of the efforts by all to progress Hoddesdon to the club that it is today, and in my opinion, will be in the future. A club that I have no shame in saying gives me a great sense of pride to both represent, and be a part of.

Next week, the club looks forward to a huge weekend of cricket, with a top of the table clash Vs Botany Bay, as well as a County 20/20 ¼ final against Sawbridgeworth which promises to be a fun day for everyone who comes down to Lowfield on Sunday.

Words by Rob Jones
Aged 22 and a 1/4