Match Preview: Shenley Village CC 1st XI vs Hoddesdon CC 1st XI

Saturday 30th August 2025 – 11:00am, Shenley Cricket Centre
HPCL Championship Division – 50/50 Format

As the summer draws to its climax, Hoddesdon CC’s 1st XI make the short trip to the impressive Shenley Cricket Centre this Saturday for their penultimate fixture of the Hertfordshire Premier Cricket League Championship Division. With just two matches remaining, both sides find themselves in that tense middle-order scramble, where every point can still shift the complexion of the final table. For Rob Walters’ men, sitting 7th on 237 points, there is work to do to climb into safer, more respectable territory. For Shenley, perched just above in 4th with 277 points, the season’s end still carries opportunity and risk. The stakes, the setting, and the players involved make this a compelling contest.

The Current Table: All Still to Play For

Looking at the Championship Division standings, the story of the season is evident. At the top, Broxbourne CC have surged clear, their 387 points almost guaranteeing glory. Old Owens (354) are comfortably second, with Redbourn (281) and Shenley Village (277) battling for third spot.

But below them lies the real intrigue. Dunstable Town (257) and Hemel Hempstead Town (248) sit just ahead of Hoddesdon (237). Preston (171), Reed (169), and Chorleywood (106) make up the bottom three, but with just two games to go, there is little room for slip-ups anywhere. Hoddesdon will want to distance themselves from the lower pack and potentially overtake Hemel and Dunstable to finish in mid-table respectability. Saturday’s clash, then, is not merely about pride. A win at Shenley could see Hoddy leapfrog into 6th and maybe even 5th, with a final-day chance to push further.

Hoddesdon 1st XI: Walters at the Helm

Captain Rob Walters leads his side into this crunch tie with trademark determination. Walters himself has enjoyed a season of real moments – including his stunning 144-run chase against Redbourn earlier in the summer – and he knows Hoddy need his calm leadership now more than ever. With Walters at No.1, Hoddesdon boast a captain who is not just a tactician but a match-winner in his own right. Alongside him, Jamie Curtis provides balance. Fresh from his seven-wicket haul against Chorleywood, has been one of the league’s standout bowlers in recent weeks. His ability to extract movement and maintain relentless discipline makes him a threat to Shenley’s top order. And he's pretty handy with the bat too as last week's joint Green Jacket award will testify!

The youthful energy of James Mitchell and Andrew Lewis gives Hoddesdon depth with both bat and ball. Lewis, in particular, has shown himself to be an adaptable middle-order player capable of gritty rebuilds or quick scoring when required. His 50 last week was a joy to watch as he settled in and played his own brand of cricket.

Australia’s Oliver Arkinstall and Clayton Stone bring the overseas pedigree that every club craves. Stone has already proven his worth with the bat, playing a vital supporting role in Hoddesdon’s highest chases this year. Arkinstall, meanwhile, offers that blend of aggressive stroke play and useful overs that can swing contests. Behind the stumps, Will Steward continues as first-choice wicketkeeper. His glovework has been sharp, his energy infectious, and his batting is improving every week.

The lower order of Johnny Munday, Harry Mason, Om Thakeria, and Muhammad Hasan Ali provides depth in both batting and bowling. Mason’s experience, Thakeria’s nagging line, and Hasan Ali’s ability to strike with the ball will all be called upon to back up the frontline attack. On paper, Hoddesdon boast a blend of youth, overseas flair, and experienced heads. The challenge, as has too often been the case this season, is stringing it all together.

Shenley Village: The Danger Men

Shenley are not without their own stars, and Hoddesdon know full well the threats they face. The statistics paint a clear picture of where the hosts excel.

Will Thomson is the batting lynchpin. With 469 runs this season, including a high score of 113, he has been both prolific and consistent. When Thomson gets going, Shenley invariably put up a competitive total. Dismissing him early will be Walters’ primary mission. Alex Thomson provides the firepower. His 105.56 strike rate underlines his ability to change the game in a handful of overs. If he bats in tandem with Will, Shenley’s scoring can accelerate dangerously. With the ball, Ali Naqvi has been their destroyer-in-chief. His 29 wickets include best figures of 6/59, showing his capacity to run through entire line-ups. Hoddesdon’s middle order will need to handle his spells carefully, especially if the ball grips at Shenley Park.

Charles Thurston may not be the most headline-grabbing name, but his economy rate of 2.2 is phenomenal. In a format where run-rates can often spiral, his ability to squeeze and frustrate opposition batsmen is a huge asset.

For Hoddesdon, therefore, the plan is simple but daunting: stop Will Thomson, blunt Naqvi’s spells, and avoid being suffocated by Thurston. Achieve that, and the path to victory becomes clearer. Fail, and Shenley will punish them.

Form Guide: Mixed Fortunes

The two sides arrive in contrasting moods. Hoddesdon’s last five results read W L L L W – inconsistency in the extreme. Impressive wins have been offset by collapses, with momentum always elusive. Shenley’s form is similarly up and down, their sequence D L W L L suggesting they too are searching for rhythm at season’s end. Their last victory came courtesy of an away win at Redbourn on the 9th of August, but defeats either side have kept them anchored mid-table.

In essence, both clubs know this weekend represents an opportunity to end the season on a high. With neither side in runaway form, confidence and discipline on the day will be decisive.

Key Battles

Rob Walters vs Ali Naqvi
The classic battle of bat versus ball. Walters’ solidity and stroke play against Naqvi’s wicket-taking threat could well define the first innings.

James Curtis vs Will Thomson
The league’s form bowler against Shenley’s most prolific run-getter. If Curtis can nip out Thomson early, Hoddesdon will tilt the contest in their favour.

Clayton Stone vs Charles Thurston
Stone’s fluent batting style will be tested against Thurston’s economy and discipline. If Stone breaks free, Hoddesdon’s innings will have real impetus.

The Venue: Shenley Park

The Shenley Cricket Centre is one of Hertfordshire’s most picturesque grounds, with its history and facilities unmatched in the county. For Hoddesdon, playing there always adds a sense of occasion, but the large outfield and true surfaces can also work against undisciplined bowling. Walters’ men will need to adjust quickly to conditions – particularly if Shenley’s bowlers find early swing.

What’s at Stake

For Shenley:

A win keeps them in the hunt for a top-three finish, which would represent an excellent campaign. A defeat could open the door for Dunstable or Hemel to leapfrog them on the final weekend.

For Hoddesdon:

A win secures safety and sets up a possible charge into mid-table. A loss could see the reality of finishing the season in 7th, safe but not where they would like to be. In short: every point matters.

Predicted XI – Hoddesdon CC

1. Rob Walters (c)
2. James Curtis
3. James Jr Mitchell
4. Andrew Lewis
5. Oliver Arkinstall
6. Clayton Stone
7. Will Steward (wk)
8. Johnny Munday
9. Harry Mason
10. Om Thakeria
11. Muhammad Hasan Ali

Final Thoughts

Saturday’s clash is perfectly poised. Shenley, with their firepower and home advantage, will be favourites on paper. But Hoddesdon’s side is packed with match-winners who, if they click together, can beat anyone in the league. Walters, Curtis, and Stone will be central to their hopes, but this is also a day when the supporting cast – from Steward behind the stumps to Mason and Thakeria with the ball – could make the difference.

With the season winding down and the table finely balanced, it promises to be a hard-fought, nervy, and potentially season-defining encounter. Expect tight spells, key wickets, and the odd moment of brilliance. For Hoddesdon, the mission is simple: turn potential into performance, and return from Shenley with the points that would make their campaign look far healthier heading into the final weekend.

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