After a sobering defeat at home to Shenley Village last weekend, Hoddesdon’s 1st XI head on the road this Saturday to face Reed CC, as the HPCL Championship Division campaign hits its halfway mark. With both sides in patchy form, this promises to be a crucial contest in the congested mid-table battle.

Rob Walters will once again captain the Green Machine, who sit joint fifth in the table on 118 points. Reed in 9th are eyeing a surge up the table themselves after a recent double-dose of defeats. However, their form is patchy, offering little in the way of predictability.

Hoddesdon’s own form is equally erratic. A thrilling win over Redbourn was followed by a draw away at Dunstable and then a bruising defeat to Shenley, where only Will Steward showed resistance with the bat and both Harry Mason and James Curtis offered some spark with the ball in gruelling conditions. That result will sting, but it could also prove to be the jolt needed to reignite Hoddesdon’s momentum ahead of a key July run of fixtures.

Hoddesdon’s bowling attack—featuring the likes of Mason, Arkinstall and Thakeria, will need to find their lines early to stem any early flow. With the bat, Walters and Stone will be tasked with laying solid foundations, while the middle order, including the likes of Rob Jones, will need to support with both grit and flair. Finn Higgs gets a first team call up and it's an exciting time for the youngster, first XI cricket coming at such a tender age doesn't happen often but it is just reward for his recent form.

This match also carries extra narrative weight: both clubs are looking to push for a higher finish, and a win here could be season-defining. With the picturesque surroundings of The Green in Reed as the backdrop and warm July weather on the cards, Saturday promises a classic summer clash in the Championship.

First ball is at 11:00am. Supporters are encouraged to travel and back the lads at The Green, Blacksmith’s Lane, Reed SG8 8AX.

Expect intensity. Expect unpredictability. Expect Hoddy to come out swinging.

#GreenMachine