Match Preview: Hoddesdon CC 1st XI vs Old Owens CC 1st XI

HPCL Championship Division - Timed | Saturday 9 August 2025 | 11:00 Start | Lowfield, Hoddesdon

As the summer season enters its final stretch, Hoddesdon Cricket Club's 1st XI return to Lowfield this Saturday for a high-stakes HPCL Championship Division encounter against promotion-chasing Old Owens. With just five matches left to play and the league table finely poised, both sides come into this weekend's clash with everything to play for.

For the Green Machine, led once again by skipper Rob Walters, Saturday offers the perfect opportunity to bounce back after last week’s defeat to Broxbourne and reignite their late-season push. For second-placed Old Owens, it’s a chance to solidify their top-two position and keep their promotion dreams alive.

Recent Form & League Context
Hoddesdon currently sit 6th in the Championship table with 198 points, just three behind Hemel Hempstead in fifth and within touching distance of Redbourn (4th) and Shenley Village (3rd). A strong finish could see them leapfrog several sides and secure a top-three finish.

Old Owens, meanwhile, are flying high in second with 279 points, trailing only Broxbourne (307) at the summit. They have built their season on consistency, resilience and a potent mix of experience and emerging talent. Their recent form reads impressively: W, D, X, W, L — and they will arrive at Lowfield brimming with confidence after recent results.

Key Players: Hoddesdon CC
Captain Rob Walters continues to lead from the front and enters the match fresh from another superb innings last weekend. His knock of 92 against Broxbourne was a masterclass in control and aggression, and his seasonal tally of 979 runs comfortably makes him Hoddesdon's top scorer. He also holds the club’s highest individual score of the season (164), further underlining his importance.

Walters is supported by a core that blends experience and youth. Jamie Curtis remains a key figure with both bat and ball. Down the order, Australians Oliver Arkinstall and Clayton Stone have provided regular moments of quality – Arkinstall in particular with the ball, where his 27 wickets make him the club’s leading wicket-taker.

Another standout performer this year has been James Mitchell, who continues to offer so much for his young years. James Curtis’ best figures of 7/23 are the best by any Hoddesdon bowler this year.

With wicket-keeper Will Steward returning behind the stumps, Hoddesdon look solid in all departments. Youngsters Johnny Munday, James Mitchell and Andrew Lewis continue their exciting run in the side, adding energy and promise to the line-up. Talented teenager Finley Higgs is also retained, rewarded for his maturity and athleticism in the field and growing confidence with bat and ball.

Key Players: Old Owens CC
Old Owens have also relied heavily on their batting core this season. JJ van der Sandt is their top run-scorer with 438 runs and has done so at a strike rate of 116.18 – the highest in the team. Nairn Guilbert holds the highest individual score with a brilliant unbeaten 124*, showing his ability to bat long and accelerate.

With the ball, the Lane family have caused havoc in opposition line-ups. Brad Lane has the best figures with 5/21 while Ralph Lane's miserly economy rate of 2.89 demonstrates his tight control and discipline. Lewis Hollett leads the way in terms of wickets, claiming 23 so far this campaign. Old Owens will be well aware that Lowfield can be a tough place to visit, but their balanced attack and aggressive top order make them a formidable travelling side.

The Reverse Fixture: A Glimpse of What to Expect
The last time these two sides met, Hoddesdon were left ruing the weather gods after their crucial away fixture at unbeaten Old Owens was washed out mid-chase — just as a potentially thrilling contest was beginning to take shape.

Earlier in the afternoon, Hoddesdon skipper Rob Walters had produced a sublime captain’s innings of 110 from 117 balls on a tricky deck at Coopers Lane, guiding his side to an impressive total of 220-9 in a game where early morning rain had left conditions damp and challenging for batting. In response, Old Owens were 68-2 off 11.5 overs — with Hoddy having grabbed two key wickets — before a steady worsening of conditions led to the match being abandoned around 6pm, much to the disappointment of players and supporters alike.

Rob Walters led a strong-looking Hoddesdon, in a game many had tipped as one of the early-season showdowns in this highly competitive division. That said, Walters was without a few key players due to holidays and injuries but none the less, the travelling squad were ready to compete. With Broxbourne and Old Owens both setting the early pace, victory for Hoddy would have thrown the title race wide open — and the team headed down the road to Coopers Lane in positive spirits following encouraging performances in recent weeks, despite the setback against Broxbourne in Round 5.
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With overnight and morning rain having left the Old Owens pitch soft underfoot and offering early movement, it was little surprise when the home captain won the toss and elected to bowl first. When the covers came off it was clear that Walters men would face a stern test. Many in the ground anticipated a bowler-friendly start, but Walters and his side were determined to post a competitive score — and the skipper himself would soon take centre stage.

Hoddesdon’s innings began watchfully, with openers Rob Walters and Bilal Ahmad taking their time to assess conditions. Unfortunately, Ahmad (2) fell early with the score on 16-1, but that brought the ever-consistent Will Steward to the crease — and together, he and Walters looked to build an important partnership. It wasn't to be, however. Wickets continued to fall at the other end — Steward for 13, Arkinstall for 11, and Stone for 14 — Walters remained the anchor and aggressor, stroking the ball fluently to all parts.

Batting with poise and clarity, Walters combined patient accumulation with authoritative stroke play, passing fifty with a flurry of boundaries — and accelerating superbly through the middle overs. His century (off 110 balls) was greeted with loud applause from both teams and spectators, with many of the Lowfield faithful following the live stream on the clubhouse jumbo screens back home — cheering as news of Walters’ ton filtered through.

By the time he was eventually dismissed for 110 (117 balls, 11 fours, 4 sixes) — caught by Williams off the bowling of Bloxham — Hoddesdon were well set at 195-6, and the tail added valuable late runs to close the innings at 220-9 from their full 50 overs. Munday (22) ands Ali (15) performed admirable but nobody could duplicate Walters staying power. Five players came and went for single fingers and the team would have dearly loved to offer the skipper s bit more support with the bat. Considering the conditions on a grey, overcast and ultimately wet day, it was a score that may have been just about enough.

After posting a competitive 220, Hoddesdon knew that early wickets would be crucial against an in-form Old Owens top order. With dark clouds still threatening, the Green Machine’s bowlers came out firing — and the ever-reliable Oliver Arkinstall struck first, removing Naim Guilbert for 18. The Aussie, with trademark mullet and furry top lip looking on point, then claimed a second breakthrough soon after, a Rob Walters catch did for Jack Timms (5) — to leave the hosts 68-2 after just 11.5 overs.

Just as Hoddesdon’s bowlers were starting to exert real pressure, the drizzle that had been in the air all day turned heavier — and after a lengthy inspection by the umpires and ground staff, it was decided at approximately 6pm that no further play would be possible. It was a frustrating end for both sides — but especially for Hoddy, who sensed they were in a good position to push for an away win.

There was little debate over Hoddesdon’s standout performer on the day — skipper Rob Walters delivering a true captain’s knock in difficult conditions. His 110 from 117 balls was a masterclass in building an innings — judged perfectly for the conditions and the match situation. Many at the club felt Walters was an outstanding contender for this week’s Green Jacket Award — but in the end, it was the 3rd XI’s Greg Marsh who earned the accolade after his own stellar weekend performance, ensuring plenty of banter in the Lowfield clubhouse post-match!

Speaking after the match, skipper Walters said:

“It’s frustrating to be rained off just as the game was getting really interesting — but I’m proud of how we played. We were maybe a few runs short but it was a really testing wicket in difficult weather conditions. We put a score on the board and our bowlers were starting to cause problems, especially Ollie. Personally, it was nice to get some runs, and credit to the lads for sticking together and competing hard in difficult conditions. Who knows how it would have played out but I will always back my team to take wickets. We’ll take the points and move on — we’re still right in the mix heading into the next phase of the season.”

Matchday Atmosphere: Lowfield Ready for the Occasion

The buzz around Lowfield is palpable. With the 1st XI back at home and hosting one of the division's strongest outfits, a big crowd is expected and Saturday promises a lively turnout, good weather, and competitive cricket. The pitch is expected to be a good one for batting, with the outfield quick and sun-baked. It will be up to both bowling attacks to extract early movement and keep discipline through the middle.

Young Guns and X-Factors
There’s genuine excitement around Hoddesdon’s emerging crop. Fin Higgs has earned rave reviews for his athleticism and calm head under pressure with both bat and ball, while James Mitchell and Johnny Munday have both shown glimpses of future stardom. Andrew Lewis, a stylish batter with excellent technique, continues to grow in confidence with every appearance.

Add to that the experience of players like Harry Mason – whose bowling and fielding are often crucial – and Will Steward’s sharp glovework behind the stumps, and Hoddesdon possess a well-rounded, hungry unit.

What’s at Stake
A win for Hoddesdon would likely lift them into the top five and reignite late-season ambitions. With clashes against Shenley Village, Redbourn and Dunstable still to come, a positive result this Saturday would provide momentum for a final charge.

For Old Owens, a win could see them close the gap on Broxbourne or widen their cushion over third-placed Shenley Village, depending on other results. With promotion very much within their grasp, every point matters.

Captain’s Thoughts
Speaking after last weekend’s loss at Broxbourne, Hoddesdon skipper Rob Walters remained upbeat:

"We’ve shown we can compete with the best sides in this league. That was evident again last week. It was disappointing to fall short, but there was a lot to like about the way we went about things. This team has character and ability. We’ll come back stronger."

He added: "Old Owens are a very good side, and it’s a big test for us, but these are the sort of games you want to play in. At home, with a good crowd, let’s see what we’re made of."

Final Word
Two ambitious sides. One competitive division. A ground with history, a crowd that brings atmosphere, and a fixture that could define the season. Whether it’s Rob Walters leading another charge, Van der Sandt sending balls over the rope, or a youngster stepping up on the big stage, Saturday at Lowfield promises to be a cracking day of Championship cricket.

First ball: 11:00am. Don’t miss it.

#GreenMachine