Hoddesdon Head to Dunstable in Searing Saturday Showdown

The heat is rising both on and off the field as Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s First XI prepare to travel to Lancot Park this Saturday to take on Dunstable Town CC in a crucial HPCL Championship Division fixture. With the mercury set to soar into the 30s and a Met Office weather warning in place for extreme heat, Rob Walters' men will need to keep their cool if they are to maintain their push for promotion.

The clash is scheduled for an 11:00am start under what is forecast to be a blazing Bedfordshire sun. As the race for the title intensifies, fourth-placed Hoddesdon will be targeting a vital away win against a Dunstable side currently languishing in ninth, and desperate to spark their own season into life.

Building Momentum After Redbourn Thriller
Hoddesdon come into the game riding high after a pulsating home victory last weekend against Redbourn at Lowfield. In a classic encounter befitting the switch to whites and red ball timed cricket, the Green Machine held their nerve to chase down 262. It was a day that belonged to skipper Rob Walters, who produced a match-winning 144 off 154 balls – his second ton in three weeks – anchoring a tense run chase with style and substance. The Green Jacket Award was never in doubt.

Clayton Stone played the perfect supporting role, crafting an unbeaten 60 and steering Hoddesdon home after Walters fell with just four runs required. It was a performance that lifted Hoddesdon to 101 points and firmly into the promotion mix. They now sit just 20 points off the top 3, with plenty of cricket still to play.

Rob Walters, one of the most experienced skippers in the league, has already shown himself to be a canny operator in the timed format arena, and will relish the chance to once again mastermind his team’s approach in what promises to be an absorbing encounter.

Dunstable’s Desperate Situation
It has been a bruising campaign so far for Dunstable Town, who find themselves in the bottom two with just 49 points from five fixtures. They have managed only one win this season, an away victory at rock bottom Chorleywood, and have struggled to string together performances with bat or ball. However, in that game, Bradley Matthews, Jack Kilduff and Jackson Shaw grabbed over 200 runs between them, so Hoddesdon still have to be wary. Kilduff registered another 68 runs last time out in the defeat to Shenley Village, and is clearly a threat on his day. Not only that, he is also a mean wicket taker, with a 5fer to his name in that very same game, so while the form book may show that Dunstable are struggling, captain Sam Cherry has one or two secret weapons in his arsenal that could present Walter's side with some problems.

On paper, this is a fixture Hoddesdon will be expected to win – but complacency will be the one thing Rob Walters will be keen to avoid.

Lancot Park, Dunstable’s picturesque home ground nestled beneath the Dunstable Downs, can be a deceptive place to visit. The outfield is quick, the boundaries relatively short, and on a hot day like Saturday, the pitch may favour batting for long spells. Hoddesdon will need to show discipline and fitness in the heat – something that may yet play a factor over the long hours of play.

Hoddesdon Team News
The visitors travel with a settled side full of form, belief and momentum.

Captain Rob Walters is fresh from yet another match-defining innings and now has a remarkable 263 runs from his last three innings and 501 league runs for the season. In this sort of touch, he will be the man Dunstable fear the most – a stylish stroke-maker equally capable of aggression or attrition, and a shrewd tactician with ball in hand when required. Rob hasn't had to bowl this season so far, but he is also a mean wicket taker when he needs to be.

At the top of the order, Will Steward continues to provide steady foundations, while Johnny Munday adds dynamism and energy in the middle. Oliver Arkinstall, too, has found his stride with the bat and was a key contributor in the Redbourn win, grabbing 30 for himself. Clayton Stone remains ever-reliable and with his unbeaten 60 last week, proved that he is more than capable of playing the anchoring role when needed. He has also developed into one of Hoddesdon’s most bankable fielders – cool under pressure, committed in the ring.

Todd Sturdy, Andrew Lewis and Harry Mason will round out the middle order – all three offering versatility, athleticism, and dependable hands in the outfield.

In the bowling department, Hoddesdon boast a rich mix of guile and firepower. The trio of Arkinstall, Mason and Om Thakeria have all impressed this term, with Arkinstall’s five-for against Redbourn a masterclass in control and perseverance. He has now taken 13 league wickets in all his first team appearances this season. Thakeria has grown into his first-team role with maturity, and while his spell last week was a little more expensive than others, he delivered when it mattered most with three crucial scalps.

Muhammad Hasan Ali will once again bring his A game, while Olly Maughan returns to offer fresh legs and plenty of promise with the new ball. Maughan is full of options, depth and confidence – a luxury few sides at this level possess.

Heat Warning: Staying Sharp in the Sun
The biggest wildcard on Saturday may be the weather itself. With temperatures forecast to hit 32°C by mid-afternoon and a yellow warning issued for heat across the county, player safety will be paramount. Hydration breaks will be frequent, and the physical strain of a timed-format game in such conditions will test concentration and stamina. This could lead to late-day lapses in the field or sluggishness in running between the wickets.

Hoddesdon’s coaching team are understood to have implemented pre-match cooling protocols and hydration routines during training this week. Players have been encouraged to bring shade tents and ice packs, while the skipper is expected to rotate bowlers aggressively to avoid fatigue setting in.

The Promotion Race: It’s Getting Tight at the Top
A win on Saturday could have major implications for the Championship table. With Broxbourne and Old Owens locked on 107 and 106 points respectively, and Shenley Village in hot pursuit, Hoddesdon know that a string of strong performances could launch them into contention for the division’s top spots. The Green Machine have their eyes firmly on building momentum ahead of tougher clashes in July. These are the fixtures where consistency counts, and where intelligence, bonus points, and execution become crucial.

Rob Walters will remind his men of the opportunity before them. This is the kind of away game that separates title challengers from mid-table dwellers.

Matchday Information

• Fixture: Dunstable Town CC 1st XI vs Hoddesdon CC 1st XI
• Date: Saturday 21 June 2025
• Start Time: 11:00 AM
• Venue: Lancot Park, Totternhoe, Dunstable, LU6 1QP
• Competition: HPCL Championship Division
• Format: All-day timed cricket, whites and red ball
• Weather: Sunny, high of 32°C, heat warning in place
• Live Updates: Twitter & Instagram @HoddesdonCC

Final Word
As the sun beats down on Dunstable this weekend, expect a battle of endurance, skill, and leadership. Hoddesdon arrive with form and firepower, while Dunstable seek redemption in front of a home crowd. In this unforgiving heat, small margins may make all the difference – a dropped catch here, a loose over there.

One thing is certain: when the first ball is bowled at 11am, Hoddesdon will be ready. Focused, fired up, and chasing glory.

Let the Green Machine roll on.

#GreenMachine