Match Preview: Hoddesdon CC 1st XI vs Hemel Hempstead Town CC 1st XI
Lowfield, Saturday 17 May 2025 – 12:00 Start
Forecast: Dry, bright, and perfect for cricket

Time for Redemption: Hoddesdon Seek Bounce Back Victory at Lowfield

Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s 1st XI return to home soil this Saturday looking to get their Hertfordshire Premier Cricket League Championship campaign back on track after a hard-fought but ultimately frustrating defeat at Preston CC last weekend. Despite an extraordinary individual innings from Jamie Curtis—who lit up the Preston outfield with a blistering 155—Hoddesdon narrowly missed out on victory in what was a high-scoring contest. The Green Machine now prepares to welcome Hemel Hempstead Town CC to Lowfield for what promises to be another exciting clash in the Championship Division.

Captain Rob Walters and his side will be aiming to turn encouraging signs into a complete performance, with the mood in the Hoddesdon dressing room still upbeat and full of belief. With fine weather expected and home support behind them, all signs point toward a thrilling encounter in EN11.

Last Time Out: Heroics in Vain but Positives Aplenty
Last Saturday’s trip to Preston was a tale of near-miss frustration but also revealed the rich promise this Hoddesdon side possesses. After being asked to bat first on a decent wicket, Jamie Curtis unleashed a masterclass in controlled aggression. His 155 was a showcase of timing, power, and cricketing intelligence, firmly establishing him as one of the league’s most dangerous batters early in the 2025 season.

Curtis’s dominance at the crease laid the platform for a strong total, well-supported by an assured contribution from Arkinstall, whose calm strokeplay helped steady the innings during key middle overs. Their partnership gave Hoddesdon real momentum, piling pressure onto Preston and setting up a defendable target.

However, while the batting unit did its job, the bowling attack couldn't quite land the early blows needed. Preston’s top order managed to dig in and keep the scoreboard ticking, eventually chasing down the target late on despite spirited efforts in the field. Bowling bonus points were earned—seven in total—but Hoddesdon walked away with just nine points from the fixture.

It was a match that could have easily gone either way, and while the result didn’t favour the Green Machine, the performance was far from deflating. If anything, it underlined the team’s potential and the importance of consistency with the ball. If Walters' men can combine last week’s batting heroics with incisive new-ball bowling, they’ll be a serious force in this division.

Table Tensions: Early Season Jostling
After the opening round of matches, Hoddesdon sits sixth in the HPCL Championship table, with nine points on the board. They're level with Reed CC, just two behind fourth-placed Preston, and only 16 points off top spot. It’s still very early days, but the standings already hint at a tightly-contested season ahead.

Meanwhile, visitors Hemel Hempstead Town CC find themselves rooted to the foot of the table, having collected just two points in their opener. They suffered defeat at home last Saturday to Shenley Village and are now tasked with facing a determined Hoddesdon outfit hungry to bounce back.

Saturday’s Showdown – What to Expect
Form Guide
Hoddesdon: L L W W L
Hemel Hempstead: L W L W L

Both sides have experienced mixed form in recent weeks, with flashes of brilliance tempered by inconsistency. For Hoddesdon, the key has been building on momentum after wins, something they'll aim to achieve this Saturday with a more rounded team performance. Hemel’s form, meanwhile, has been unpredictable. They’re capable of springing surprises but will arrive at Lowfield on the back of a defeat and a lack of confidence. Hoddesdon will look to capitalise on that uncertainty early.

Home Advantage
Lowfield is always a fortress when the Green Machine fires up. With familiar conditions, passionate local support, and the leadership of Rob Walters, expect Hoddesdon to bring the intensity from ball one. The club's “One Town, One Club” message—shared across both the cricket and football sides—will be in full force once again, with community pride on display and plenty of support in the stands.

Pitch and Conditions
Weather forecasts suggest a warm and dry Saturday, setting up a potentially high-scoring day of cricket. The Lowfield wicket traditionally offers a little early movement for seamers before flattening out nicely, meaning teams who make early inroads with the new ball will have a distinct edge. Head Groundsman Adrian Lee is confident the surface he has prepared will offer an even contest.

From the Camp

Rob Walters (Captain):

“We took a lot of heart from last week. Jamie’s innings was exceptional, and we know that if we tighten up in a few key areas with the ball, we’ll be right where we need to be. The mood in the group is strong—there’s no panic, just focus. Saturday is a big opportunity for us to show what we're about at home.”

Jamie Curtis (Top Scorer vs Preston):

“It was great to contribute last week, but it's never as sweet when you don’t get the win. That’s the motivation this week—to back it up and get the points. We’ve got the squad and the mentality to push for promotion, no doubt.”

Jamie Curtis (Hoddesdon CC)
Coming off a magnificent 150, Curtis will be the danger man for the visitors. His eye is in, his confidence is high, and if he gets going again, the Lowfield crowd could be in for a treat.

Rob Walters (Hoddesdon CC – Captain)
The skipper’s leadership will be key both tactically and emotionally. Walters sets the tone with his intensity in the field and ability to rally his troops when it matters most. And let's not forget he is also a rather good batsman and bowler!

Olly Arkinstall (Hoddesdon CC)
His composed knock in support of Curtis last week showed maturity and a willingness to anchor the innings when needed. A key cog in the top order, Arkinstall will be vital again.

Hemel Hempstead
They'll be looking to fire after defeat last time out. Their ability to absorb pressure and turn it into scoring opportunities will likely define their challenge. Including captain Hemish Ilangaratne, the visitors top three offered just 39 runs last Saturday. Only Angus Ball's 46 not out gave any hope in what ultimately turned out to be a 5 wicket defeat. Do not let that lull you into a false sense of security however. Make no mistake, Hemel will be eager to right the wrongs of last weekend and Walter's men must be ready for the challenge. Parth Mehta took two very good wickets in that game and will once again look to dominate the batting line up. Opener Brett Penny also has the potential to take the score away from Hoddesdon with the bat if allowed to, so he is another one to watch.

Match Details

• Fixture: Hoddesdon CC 1st XI vs Hemel Hempstead Town CC 1st XI
• Venue: Lowfield, Park View, Hoddesdon, EN11 8PX
• Date: Saturday 17th May 2025
• Start Time: 12:00 PM
• Admission: Free for all spectators
• Weather: Sunny, with temperatures reaching the low 20s

The club reminds supporters to follow all the action across social media (Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) and stay connected through www.hoddesdoncricketclub.co.uk for live updates, scorecards, and post-match reaction.

Final Thoughts
While last week’s defeat at Preston will have stung, there’s a buzz around this Hoddesdon side that’s hard to ignore. The blend of experience, youth, and raw talent is clear for all to see—and with a match-winner like Curtis in form, they’re never far from turning a game on its head. Saturday’s match is more than just a fixture; it’s a chance for redemption, a moment to bounce back, and a statement of intent for the rest of the 2025 season. The players are ready, the supporters are eager, and with the sun set to shine down on Lowfield, everything is in place for a classic HPCL Championship encounter.

Be there. Be loud. Be Green.

#GreenMachine