MATCH REPORT – HODDESDON CC 1ST XI VS SHENLEY VILLAGE CC 1ST XI
Saturday 28 June 2025 | HPCL Championship Division | Lowfield | Timed Format | Shenley Village won by 125 runs

Green Machine Brought to a Halt as Ruthless Shenley Turn Up the Heat at Lowfield
In the middle of a blistering Hertfordshire summer, with cricket whites clinging to sweat-drenched players and water bottles drained by midday, the only thing hotter than the sun above Lowfield was the form of visiting side Shenley Village. On a parched pitch and an unforgiving day for bowlers and fielders alike, the travelling side delivered a near-perfect performance to dismantle Hoddesdon CC’s 1st XI by 125 runs, delivering the hosts their heaviest defeat of the 2025 campaign so far.

Shenley’s skipper and wicketkeeper Will Thomson won the toss under blue skies and had no hesitation in choosing to bat first on what looked a belter of a surface. And it didn’t take long for his top order to vindicate that decision, laying the platform for a formidable total with a ruthless blend of patience, aggression, and clinical strokeplay. By the end of the day, the scoreboard read like a grim reminder of just how high the bar is in the HPCL Championship Division: Shenley Village 284 all out from 58.3 overs; Hoddesdon CC 159 all out in reply from 40.3 overs. A gap not just in runs, but on this occasion in execution, consistency, and composure.

Top-Order Masterclass Sets Shenley Up for Dominance
From the outset, Shenley showed intent with the bat. The openers set the tone early, both finding the boundary with elegant drives and crisp cuts as Hoddesdon’s Arkinstall and Mason struggled to extract much movement under a searing sun. It took until the 16th over before Hoddesdon finally broke through, with Selvakumar being pinned LBW by Curtis for a well made 52.

But the arrival of Ali Naqvi only intensified the pressure. The right-hander was in imperious touch, cutting anything short, sweeping with assurance, and skipping down to the spinners with conviction. His 60 from 86 balls was possibly he innings’ centrepiece – and with a healthy strike rate it forced Hoddesdon to continuously shuffle their fields and recalibrate their plans.

At 213/4 after the dismissal of skipper Thomson for a superb 77 off 84 balls, including nine 4s and three 6s, Shenley were already eyeing up 275-plus.

Hoddesdon’s spinners tried to claw things back, and Om Thakeria once again bowled with guile, claiming 2-66 as he picked up key wickets. Mason and Curtis were the pick though, both claiming 4 wickets each but Shenley’s momentum was never fully checked. Walters used just 4 bowlers due to the conditions and long spells in the heat were ultimately punished.

A late flurry ensured the visitors reached 284 – a commanding total in the scorching conditions. While Hoddesdon had their moments in the field – including sharp catches from Steward, Rob Jones and Stone – the sheer weight of runs built by Shenley left them with a steep climb ahead.

Reply Derailed Early as Shenley Strike in Clusters
If ever there was a time for a Rob Walters special – one of those blistering tons he’s made a habit of – this was it. But from the moment Hoddesdon’s innings began, they looked unsettled, and in fairness to Rob, he cannot be expected to do it every week. The pitch, though flat, started to show signs of uneven bounce, and the Shenley new ball pair of Stear and Nissen bowled with pace and precision. Wickets fell quickly and with alarming regularity: Walters fell for 10 early doors, Curtis looked well set on 32 but couldn't kick on and was caught by the oppo skipper in the 9th over, Stone and Arkinstall came and went for a combined total of 16 and Steward eventually fell after a punchy 29 from just 46 balls. A glimmer of hope at 101/5 but the heat only made matters worse.

The innings lasted little longer.

Jones, Lewis, Mason, Ahmad and Thakeria all departed for a combined 45 and the game was gone.

Fielding and Bowling Bright Spots Amid Tough Day
Despite the margin of defeat, there were a few positives Hoddesdon can take forward.

Thakeria’s spell was once again full of promise – flight, drift, and a knack for striking when needed. His ability to control the middle overs has been one of the revelations of the season. Mason and Curtis also deserve plaudits for taking the lions share of the wickets - and the overs. Likewise, wicket keeper Will Steward showed maturity with the bat under pressure – and would surely have gone further if he had had more support.

But ultimately, Shenley were simply too good on the day. They executed better in all departments – and it showed.

The Bigger Picture – Hoddesdon Stay in the Hunt
The defeat sees Hoddesdon in 5th, with a handful of teams now jostling around that mid-table cluster. Shenley, on the other hand, are handily placed in 3rd, breathing down the neck of leaders Broxbourne with the mid point of the season fast appraching. The next few games will be crucial if Hoddesdon are to stay in the promotion mix. They’ve shown they can go toe-to-toe with the best – wins over Redbourn and narrow finishes at Dunstable and Chorleywood prove that. But consistency is the key.

Next Saturday’s fixture away at Reed CC offers the perfect bounce-back opportunity, before a run of crucial matches in July which could define the campaign.

Fan Experience: A Mixed Day at Lowfield
The weather brought out a the crowd to Lowfield – families, old club legends, and new faces enjoying snacks, cold pints, and the trademark Hoddesdon hospitality. Even as the result slipped away, the clubhouse atmosphere remained spirited, with many staying to reflect on what was, despite the result, an enjoyable day of club cricket at its most competitive.

Reaction: The Verdict
Spinner Harry Mason, speaking after the game, didn’t shy away from the truth.

“We were outplayed today, no getting around it. Shenley are a top side and they brought their A-game. We didn’t quite match them – especially with the bat – and that’s something we’ll look at hard this week.

There’s no panic, though. One bad result doesn’t define us. We’ve shown character all season and I’m backing us all respond. It’s about learning and getting back to doing what we do best next Saturday.”

Saturday can't come soon enough

#GreenMachine