Match Report: Preston CC vs. Hoddesdon CC

HPCL Championship Division – 10 May 2025
Venue: The Recreation Ground, Preston CC
Result: Preston CC won by 6 wickets

On a sun-soaked afternoon at The Recreation Ground, Hoddesdon Cricket Club's HPCL Championship campaign got off to a frustrating start despite a sensational individual innings from opening batter Jamie Curtis. The opener’s thunderous 155 off just 92 balls looked to have put Hoddesdon in the driving seat after skipper Rob Walters won the toss and chose to bat first—but a gritty and clinical batting performance from Preston CC saw them chase down the target of 319 with six wickets in hand.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Walters’ men, who walked away from the contest with 9 league points but will know they left a golden opportunity on the field. On a flat wicket that offered little margin for error, Hoddesdon’s bowlers struggled to contain a deep Preston line-up, despite some flashes of quality with the ball.

Hoddesdon’s Innings: Jamie Curtis Lights Up Preston
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Rob Walters partnered Jamie Curtis at the top of the order. Walters looked to anchor the innings but was the first to fall, out for 19 after being bowled Josh Wigginton with the score at 64. That brought Will Steward to the crease, but his stay was short-lived—just 10 deliveries in before Peter Murrell claimed his wicket.

All the while, Jamie Curtis was in a punishing mood at the other end. Preston will rue one or two missed chances with the ball in the air, but Jamie will care little for that level of carelessness. He brought up his half-century in just 30 balls, unfurling an array of classical drives, brutal pulls, and lofted strokes over midwicket. Curtis’ dominance was absolute—his 155-run masterpiece included 11 fours and a staggering 13 sixes, sending fielders and spectators alike ducking for cover.

You can watch the moment that Jamie brought up his 150 for Hoddesdon by clicking HERE.

His eventual dismissal came in the 34th over, caught by Luke Marsden off Wharton’s bowling, with Hoddesdon well poised at 244 for 3. From there, the innings stumbled somewhat, losing wickets at regular intervals as Preston pulled back some momentum. However, Oliver Arkinstall (99 off 109) provided stern resistance, falling just shy of what would’ve been a richly-deserved century after holding the middle order together.

Clayton Stone (15), Todd Sturdy (7), and Rob Jones (5) weren’t able to offer much by way of fireworks, although Stone did hit a majestic six to help bump the total. The final few overs saw wickets tumble quickly, with Hoddesdon collapsing from 294 for 4 to 318 for 9. Notably, Josh Wigginton claimed six wickets in a fine display of death bowling, finishing with figures of 10-1-52-6, while Wharton chipped in with 2 for 39 from his 10 overs. Johhny Munday was not out at the death and fresh from his half century in a Sunday friendly last week, spinner Harry Mason wasn't required to bat.

Despite the late slide, Hoddesdon’s total of 318 for 9 from their 50 overs looked formidable—especially with the psychological boost of Curtis’ heroics and a decent mix of spin and seam options at their disposal.

Preston’s Reply: Calm, Clinical, and Ultimately Match-Winning
If Hoddesdon had dreams of making early inroads to defend their total, they were quickly dashed. Preston’s top order showed no signs of nerves, and instead, laid a platform of calculated aggression.

Skipper Rob Walters tried to inject life into the bowling attack with a rotating cast, but Edward Wharton (46 off 33) and Jack Morecroft (33 off 25) got Preston off to a brisk start. The pair added 81 for the opening stand before Wharton fell, caught and bowled by Jamie Curtis—the man who had earlier devastated Preston with the bat, now striking with the ball.

Morecroft followed soon after, trapped LBW by the tricky Om Thakeria with the score on 87, and when Josh Wigginton was dismissed for 52 (bowled by Johnny Munday), there was a window of opportunity. At 164 for 3, Hoddesdon had a sniff. That hope, however, was quickly extinguished.

Jake George and Jack Stevens then combined for the defining partnership of the match. George, calm and technically sound, ground out an invaluable 85 off 90 balls. At the other end, Stevens provided the late acceleration—his unbeaten 87 came off 78 deliveries, featuring 7 fours and 4 sixes as Preston surged toward the target with growing confidence.

Hoddesdon tried to rally but it was too little, too late. Stevens guided Preston home in the 49th over, sealing a remarkable victory by six wickets and handing Hoddesdon a tough start to their 2025 campaign.

Captain’s Thoughts
Speaking after the match, Hoddesdon skipper Rob Walters remained philosophical:

"It’s a tough one to take. Jamie’s innings was extraordinary, one of the best I've seen in club cricket. Credit to Preston—they batted very well and paced their innings superbly. We’ll take the positives, especially the batting form shown today, and look to bounce back next week."

Bowling Breakdown: Where It Slipped
Hoddesdon’s bowling perhaps lacked a little control and bite in the end. Jamie Curtis ended with 1 for 61 in his seven overs. Om Thakeria (1 for 49 off 8.2) showed promise but lacked consistent support. Johnny Munday (2 for 62) was the pick of the bowlers in terms of wickets, while Harry Mason, Oliver Arkinstall, and Walters himself went wicketless. Hoddesdon gave away 13 extras, including 8 wides, but in truth, that didn't have a major effect on the game. In contrast, Preston’s bowlers, led by Wigginton and Wharton, bowled with slightly tighter lines and held their nerve under pressure.

League Table Implications
Following the loss, Hoddesdon find themselves in sixth place in the HPCL Championship Division with 9 points, tied with Reed CC. Preston, thanks to their victory, sit level with Broxbourne, Dunstable Town, and Old Owens—each with 25 points at the top after one round of fixtures. It’s early days, of course, but Hoddesdon will want to get points on the board quickly to keep pace with the leaders. Their next fixture becomes crucial as they look to respond to Saturday’s setback, hosting Hemel Hempstead Town at Lowfield.

Match Summary
Hoddesdon CC Innings
50 overs – 318/9
Jamie Curtis 155 (92 balls, 11x4s, 13x6s)
Oliver Arkinstall 99 (109 balls)
Josh Wigginton 10-1-52-6
Edward Wharton 10-2-39-2

Preston CC Innings
48.5 overs – 322/4
Jake George 85* (90 balls)
Jack Stevens 87* (78 balls)
James Curtis 1-61
Johnny Munday 2-62

Result: Preston CC won by 6 wickets
Points: Preston CC – 25 pts | Hoddesdon CC – 9 pts

Player of the Match
Jamie Curtis (Hoddesdon CC)
Despite finishing on the losing side, Curtis’ innings was the undisputed highlight of the day. His blistering 155 set the tone for a competitive match and showcased his immense talent at the crease. Clean striking, sound temperament, and devastating power made it a knock to remember.

Looking Ahead
There’s plenty for Hoddesdon to take from this game. The batting unit, spearheaded by Curtis and supported by Arkinstall, put up a superb total to ensure Preston wouldn't have it easy. If the bowling unit can find early breakthroughs in future games, this team remains a serious contender for promotion. Next week presents a new challenge and, more importantly, an opportunity for redemption. With spirits still high and lessons learned, expect Hoddesdon to come out swinging.

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