Match Preview: Hoddesdon 1st XI vs Shenley Village 1st XI
Saturday 28th June 2025
11:00am
Lowfield
After a tense and hard-fought draw on the road last weekend at Dunstable, Hoddesdon 1st XI return home to Lowfield on Saturday for a pivotal clash in the Hertfordshire Premier Cricket League Championship Division. Awaiting them are third-placed Shenley Village CC – one of the most consistent and dangerous sides in the division – in what promises to be a thrilling contest at the business end of the campaign.
This fixture, scheduled for 11:00am at the fortress of Lowfield, will see Hoddesdon captain Rob Walters once again leading from the front as his side look to build on last week’s spirited performance and climb further into promotion contention. With both sides harbouring ambitions of a top-two finish and the forecast set fair, all the ingredients are in place for a classic.
The State of Play: A Battle at the Top
With seven rounds played, the HPCL Championship Division table is beginning to take shape – and Hoddesdon find themselves firmly in the thick of it. After last weekend’s draw, they sit in 4th place on 111 points, level with Redbourn in 5th and just 56 points off top spot. Shenley Village, meanwhile, occupy 3rd with 151 points – just behind leaders Broxbourne (167) and Old Owens (166).
For Hoddesdon, Saturday is about more than just revenge or momentum – it’s a golden opportunity to strike a blow against a direct rival and stake their claim as serious contenders in the promotion race. A win at home would not only tighten the gap on the top three but would also reaffirm Lowfield as one of the division’s most formidable grounds for visiting sides.
Last Time Out: A Gritty Effort on the Road
Last Saturday’s draw away to Dunstable Town CC may not have delivered the maximum points Hoddesdon were hoping for, but it did offer plenty of positives.
After being asked to field first by Dunstable skipper Sam Cherry, Hoddesdon faced a stiff challenge in sweltering heat as the hosts posted a demanding 274/8 from their 60 overs. Hoddesdon’s bowlers toiled on a flat Lancot Park surface, with Oliver Arkinstall and Om Thakeria both picking up key wickets, and Rob Walters shuffling his attack smartly in challenging conditions.
In reply, Hoddesdon made a steady start before a flurry of wickets left them under pressure at 97/3. But once again, it was the skipper who stood tall. Walters’ authoritative 68 from 79 balls – featuring 11 boundaries – steadied the innings, supported by Clayton Stone (36) and a stoic late contribution from Harry Mason (23*), as the visitors batted out their overs to close on 205/7.
Though the match was drawn, Hoddesdon’s ability to dig deep and avoid defeat – on a day when lesser sides may have folded – was a credit to their growing maturity. Valuable points were added to the tally, and crucial momentum was maintained ahead of a crunch weekend.
Form Guide: Contrasting Journeys
Saturday’s clash sees two sides on slightly different recent paths.
Shenley Village come into the fixture in hot form, having won three of their last four matches underlining their ability to bounce back quickly and maintain consistency. Their top-order is among the most explosive in the league, and their seam attack has been one of the most economical this term. Wicket keeper Will Thomson posted a superb 113 from 129 balls in their last fixture, an away win at Reed. Paddy Dooley also chipped in with 83 and with Matt Stear and Ali Naqvi both grabbing 4 wickets each, captain Morgan Stanley knows he has a squad that can win games with individual brilliance or as a collective.
Hoddesdon, on the other hand, have been a little unpredictable at times – perhaps a reflection of their transitional nature this season. Their last five league results show a pattern of inconsistency: Win, Loss, Abandoned, Win, Draw, offers all the colours of the rainbow in terms of outcomes, but when they’re good, they’ve been irresistible – such as the comeback win over Redbourn – but putting together a consistent run remains the challenge. Saturday, then, presents an opportunity to lay down a marker against a side ahead of them in the standings and prove that this Hoddesdon unit can match the league’s best.
Home Advantage: The Lowfield Factor
There’s no place like home – and for Hoddesdon, that sentiment rings truer than ever. Lowfield has proven to be a vital weapon in their armoury over the years, with its fast outfield, unique dimensions, and vocal home support making it one of the most intimidating venues for travelling teams.
This weekend, the pitch is expected to offer plenty for both bat and ball. With sunny, dry conditions forecast, a good batting surface is likely – but captains may also be tempted by the hint of early movement and variable bounce. Timing will be everything, and the toss could prove vital in setting the tone.
Off the field, the club will be buzzing too. The fixture is part of the club’s wider "Lowfield 365" campaign – celebrating Hoddesdon’s full-year sporting and community offer – and another strong crowd is expected to get behind the Green Machine and Hoddesdon’s players will be hoping for another lift from the picnic benches and boundary ropes.
Key Battles to Watch
1. Top-Order Stability vs Shenley Firepower
One area Hoddesdon will be looking to improve on from last week is top-order solidity. Early wickets against Dunstable placed pressure on the middle order, and Shenley’s seam attack will look to strike early once again. The battle between Hoddesdon’s top three and Shenley’s new-ball bowlers could go a long way to deciding the contest.
2. Spin vs Patience
Shenley have relied heavily on spin in the middle overs this season, often choking run-rates and forcing mistakes. Hoddesdon’s batsmen will need to be disciplined, rotating strike and resisting rash shots. If they can blunt Shenley’s slower bowlers, they’ll fancy a late acceleration.
3. Captain’s Cunning
Rob Walters and his opposite number Morgan Stanley – likely to be Shenley’s experienced leader – are two of the savviest tacticians in the division. Field placements, bowling changes, and pressure moments will come under the microscope. Walters’ captaincy was praised last week for how he rallied his bowlers – expect another thoughtful showing at Lowfield.
What’s at Stake?
Plenty.
For Hoddesdon, it’s a chance to make up serious ground in the promotion race. A win would propel them up the table and into touching distance of third. A defeat, however, and the gap could grow into something more significant. For Shenley, Saturday’s fixture is about consolidating their top-three status and applying pressure on Broxbourne and Old Owens, who both have tricky matches elsewhere. It’s a high-stakes clash, and both sides know it.
A Word from the Club
Hoddesdon’s players and staff have been vocal this week about their excitement to return to Lowfield.
“There’s a good energy in the group,” said Vice Captain Will Steward at training on Thursday. “We know we didn’t quite get over the line last week, but there was real resilience in how we finished. We’ve spoken a lot about making this place a fortress again, and Saturday is a huge opportunity.”
Meanwhile, head of cricket Louis Purves added: “Shenley are a quality side, and we respect that. But we’ve got our own goals this year, and games like this are what it’s all about – top quality cricket, big crowd, and everything to play for.”
How to Follow
The match begins at 11:00am at Lowfield, Hoddesdon. Admission is free and all are welcome. The bar will be open and Lowfield365 members can enjoy up to 20% off their round at the bar. For those unable to attend in person, live score updates will be available via Play-Cricket, while the club’s social media channels will be providing highlights and behind-the-scenes content.
Final Word
Saturday’s clash between Hoddesdon and Shenley Village is a statement game. A test of resolve, a measure of ambition, and perhaps even a taste of what’s to come in the race for HPCL glory. Hoddesdon have the tools. Shenley bring the form. But at Lowfield, with the town behind them and the stakes high, the Green Machine will back themselves to roll forward again.
Gentlemen. Start your engines.
#GreenMachine