On a late-summer Saturday at Shenley Cricket Centre, Hoddesdon CC 1st XI served up one of their most complete performances of the Hertfordshire Premier Cricket League season.

Captain Rob Walters led his men into battle with the stakes high: mid-table safety not yet secure, a daunting Shenley Village side in front of them, and the need for a statement victory to carry momentum into the season’s final weekend. What followed was a performance dripping with character, grit, and flashes of brilliance — as Hoddesdon stormed to a commanding 81-run win over Shenley.

The day belonged to Clayton Stone, who produced a dazzling 107 from 138 balls, batting through the storm when Hoddy’s top order collapsed, then guiding his side to a defendable 250. And if Stone built the platform, then Harry Mason demolished it for Shenley, claiming a sensational five-wicket haul (10-1-39-5) to rip the heart out of the home team’s reply. Between them, they ensured Hoddy’s 25 points were in the bag, leapfrogging their way into 6th in the Championship table, breathing far easier ahead of the final clash against Reed this coming weekend.

But let’s rewind — because this was a match that had everything: early jitters, middle-order heroics, fiery bowling, a late wobble, and the sort of champagne cricket that gets talked about for years down at Lowfield.

Toss and Trouble: Walters’ Brave Call

Skipper Rob Walters walked out under the Shenley sunshine, tossed the coin, and bravely chose to bat. “We back our batting, we want runs on the board,” Walters reportedly told his teammates, though what followed in the opening exchanges might have had even the most optimistic Hoddy supporter wincing.

Within 40 runs, the top order was in tatters. Walters himself fell for just 8, caught by Ali Naqvi. James Curtis (14) and Andrew Lewis (1) soon followed, undone by tidy spells from Kris Nissen and Matt Evans. Worse was to come when Oliver Arkinstall, fresh from bowling heroics in previous weeks, registered a dreaded duck — suddenly Hoddy were 39-4, teetering on the brink of calamity. From the pavilion balcony, the Hoddesdon faithful muttered anxiously. Had the decision to bat first backfired? Was this going to be another Shenley ambush? Step forward James Mitchell and the unflappable Clayton Stone.

The Stone and Mitchell Show: 156 Runs of Calm and Class

What Hoddesdon needed was composure. What they got was something much better: a stand of genuine class that changed the complexion of the match. James Mitchell, batting with textbook patience, grafted for a vital 60 from 91 balls, turning over the strike, punching the gaps, and soaking up the pressure like a seasoned pro. At the other end, Clayton Stone took centre stage. From the very first straight drive that pinged off the middle of his bat, he looked set. But this wasn’t just fireworks — it was calculated, determined, and unflustered cricket. As wickets tumbled early, Stone dug in, respecting the bowlers. As the innings matured, he unfurled his full repertoire: cover drives that raced across the lush Shenley outfield, nudges into gaps for singles, and, when the bowlers erred, punishing pull shots that had the scoreboard ticking.

Together, Mitchell and Stone added a priceless 156 runs for the fifth wicket, lifting Hoddesdon from despair to dominance. When Mitchell finally fell bowled by Jake Hilder, the damage had been done — Hoddy were back in control. By the time Shenley rallied to take wickets in the death overs, Stone had marched his way to a glorious century — raising his bat to the travelling fans with a grin that said it all. His knock of 107 was an exhibition in responsibility. He batted for 138 balls, struck 9 boundaries, and held the innings together when it could so easily have fallen apart. It was a captain’s innings — except it came from the ever-reliable Stone, who has grown into Hoddy’s rock over the course of this season.

Late Wobble, but 250 on the Board

After Mitchell’s departure, Shenley did rally. Wickets tumbled in a mini-collapse: Will Steward (3), Stone himself, and Muhammad Hasan Ali (6) all fell cheaply, while Mason and Thakeria added just 2 runs between them. From 237-6, Hoddy were in danger of wasting their platform. But Johnny Munday’s unbeaten 16 off 15 balls provided a crucial late boost, nudging the total up to a neat 250-9 from 50 overs. Extras also played their part — 34 gifted runs in wides and no-balls swelled the total, another sign that Shenley were below their usual clinical standards. At the break, Hoddy had something solid to defend, though the murmurs from the sidelines suggested Shenley’s batting strength could make 250 chaseable on this flat track.

Shenley Stumble: Mason the Destroyer

If Shenley harboured hopes of a chase, they didn’t reckon with Harry Mason. Brought on after a lively opening burst from Hasan Ali and Arkinstall, Mason was simply unplayable. His figures — 10 overs, 1 maiden, 39 runs, 5 wickets — tell only part of the story. This was spin bowling at its brutal best: relentless accuracy, movement off the seam, and the knack of striking just as partnerships threatened. He first accounted for opener Will Thomson (20), then tore through the middle order with a devastating spell that saw off Stanley, Hilder, Thaker, and Evans. Each wicket was greeted with roars from the Hoddy fielders, high-fives, and Mason’s trademark understated smile. By the time his spell was done, Shenley’s hopes were in ruins.

Nissen’s Fightback, But Too Little Too Late

Not everyone crumbled. Shenley’s Kris Nissen, who had already bowled with heart earlier, played a counterattacking gem of an innings. His 48 off just 32 balls was laced with six boundaries and a towering six, briefly threatening to pull off a miracle. But Nissen’s aggression was cut short by a sharp run-out from James Mitchell — a moment that killed any lingering hope for the hosts. Apart from Nissen, only opener Morgan Stanley (39) made a notable contribution. Once those two were gone, Shenley’s innings folded in spectacular fashion, the last six wickets tumbling for just 71 runs. From 98-7, the writing was on the wall.

Supporting Cast: Arkinstall and Curtis Step Up

While Mason rightly took the headlines, he wasn’t alone. Oliver Arkinstall bowled with venom, picking up 2 for 49 and creating constant pressure. James Curtis, on briefly but effectively, grabbed the scalp of Droo Pathak for just 14. Muhammad Hasan Ali chipped in with an early wicket too, ensuring everyone played their part in the demolition job. The finishing act came in the 31st over, when Shenley were bundled out for just 169 all out, handing Hoddy an emphatic 81-run victory. The celebrations that followed were loud, heartfelt, and richly deserved.

The Green Jacket: Stone and Marsh Share the Honour

Back at Lowfield, the coveted Green Jacket award — Hoddesdon’s tradition for recognising outstanding performances — was draped over Clayton Stone’s shoulders, his century rightly lauded as the foundation of victory. But in a touching nod to the wider club effort, Stone shared the honour with Greg Marsh of the 2nd XI, who had starred in their own weekend fixture. It was a reminder that success at Hoddesdon is never about one team alone, but the entire club pulling together. You can read all about the presentation HERE.

League Table Shake-Up: Hoddy Up to 6th

The victory did more than just boost morale — it propelled Hoddy up the HPCL Championship Division table. With 25 points from the win, they now sit 6th on 262 points, just ahead of Hemel Hempstead (258). Crucially, it puts distance between Hoddy and the relegation scrap involving Reed, Preston, and Chorleywood. At the top, Broxbourne continue to run away with the title, but for Hoddesdon the focus is clear: finish strong, consolidate their Championship status, and build momentum into 2026.

One More to Go: Reed Await at Lowfield

The season’s finale comes this Saturday at Lowfield, where Hoddy host Reed CC 1st XI. Reed, languishing near the bottom, will be desperate for points, but Hoddy will fancy their chances after such a complete team performance. The prospect of Stone in red-hot form, Mason brimming with confidence, and Walters’ men buoyed by victory sets the stage for a cracking finish. The mood around Lowfield is buoyant. As one club stalwart put it after the Shenley win: “That’s Hoddy cricket. Fightbacks, team spirit, and lads standing up when it matters.”

Conclusion: Hoddy’s Statement of Intent

If ever a match summed up the spirit of Hoddesdon CC, this was it. Backs to the wall at 39-4, they fought their way back through Stone and Mitchell. Faced with a tricky chase, they blew Shenley away through Mason’s brilliance. Everyone chipped in, everyone celebrated together, and in the end, the result was emphatic. The scoreboard reads Hoddesdon 250-9 (50 overs) beat Shenley Village 169 all out (30.5 overs) by 81 runs. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. This was about grit, about players rising when their side needed them, and about a club finding its stride at just the right moment. For Walters and his men, the Green Jacket will hang proudly this week, split between Stone and Marsh. For Mason, there’s quiet satisfaction in another bagful of wickets.

And for Hoddesdon as a whole, there’s renewed belief: this side belongs in the Championship, and they’re ready to finish in style.

#GreenMachine