LEAGUE LIFE BEGINS FOR HODDY AS WALTERS’ MEN HIT THE ROAD TO REDBOURN

After the noise, colour and drama of last weekend’s Readers T20 Cup campaign, Hoddesdon CC’s attention now turns to the bread and butter of the summer as the 2026 Hertfordshire Premier Cricket League Championship Division season gets underway this Saturday.

Rob Walters will once again captain Hoddesdon’s 1st XI as they travel to Redbourn Common to face Redbourn CC in a midday start, with both sides eager to begin the new league campaign on the right foot. And after months of winter nets, pre-season friendlies, squad reshuffles and endless weather watching, there is finally a sense that the real business of the cricket season has arrived.

For Hoddesdon, there is genuine optimism surrounding the group this year. The club enters the Championship Division campaign with a strong blend of experienced heads, exciting young talent and a squad that looks capable of competing with anybody on its day. Saturday now offers the first proper test of where Walters’ side stand.

NEW SEASON, NEW CHALLENGE

The HPCL Championship Division remains one of the toughest and most competitive leagues in the county, with every side capable of beating one another and fine margins often deciding promotion races and relegation scraps alike. Hoddesdon begin the weekend sitting third in the embryonic league table—purely alphabetical at this stage of proceedings of course—but there is hope around Lowfield that this squad can make a genuine impact in 2026.

Standing in their way first up are Redbourn CC, who will be eager to make their home advantage count at Redbourn Common. Traditionally, Redbourn have proven awkward opponents on their own patch. Their ground can produce quick-scoring outfields when the weather is dry, while visiting sides often find themselves dragged into attritional battles if they fail to start well. With temperatures expected to remain mild and conditions looking favourable, there is every chance spectators could be treated to an entertaining opening-day contest.

WALTERS LEADS FROM THE FRONT AGAIN

Once again, much of Hoddesdon’s hopes will rest on the shoulders of captain Rob Walters. The experienced skipper continues to be one of the club’s most influential figures both on and off the field, and his presence gives Hoddesdon calmness in pressure situations. Walters arrives into the league opener having already shown promising touch with the bat in the T20 competition last weekend, where he produced a composed innings against Preston CC before Hoddesdon ultimately fell short.

As ever, his ability to control an innings and absorb pressure will be vital across the longer 50-over format. But Walters will know league cricket is rarely won by individuals alone. Championship campaigns are built on consistency, resilience and contributions throughout the XI—and Hoddesdon appear to have assembled a side capable of offering exactly that.

STEWARD BEHIND THE STUMPS

One familiar sight this weekend will be Will Steward once again taking up wicketkeeping duties for the 1st XI. Steward’s energy and sharpness behind the stumps have become increasingly important to Hoddesdon over recent seasons, while his aggressive approach with the bat adds another dynamic to the side. The keeper-batsman showed flashes of intent during the T20 fixture at Broxbourne and will no doubt be eager to make an impact in the longer format too.

Keeping wicket at this level is no easy assignment, particularly early in the season when bowlers are still searching for rhythm and movement can be inconsistent. Steward’s concentration and communication will therefore be hugely important throughout the afternoon.

ALL EYES ON THE NEW FACES

There is also significant intrigue surrounding some of the newer faces in the Hoddesdon setup.

One player certain to attract attention is overseas signing Himesh Ramanayake. The Sri Lankan arrival showed encouraging glimpses of his talent last weekend with a composed half-century against Preston, displaying patience and timing despite difficult circumstances during the chase. Now with another week under his belt in English conditions, Hoddesdon supporters will be hoping Saturday provides the first real glimpse of what Ramanayake can produce across a full league campaign.

There is excitement too around several younger members of the squad.

Johnny Munday and Andrew Lewis are both included in the travelling side, continuing the club’s strong commitment to youth development. Hoddesdon have worked hard in recent years to create a pathway into senior cricket, and opportunities like these are exactly what the system is designed for. Youngsters learning alongside experienced players such as Walters and Harry Mason can only strengthen the future of the club.

SPIN, CONTROL AND CHARACTER

Speaking of Mason, the self professed “spin king” will once again be central to Hoddesdon’s hopes this weekend.

A proven match-winner on his day, Mason’s ability to control the middle overs could prove particularly important at Redbourn. Early-season league wickets can vary massively depending on preparation and weather, and spinners who settle quickest often become decisive figures. Om Thakeria and Asif Mohammed also impressed in patches during the T20 defeat last weekend and will be keen to carry that form into league cricket.

The bowling attack overall has a nice balance to it. There is control, variation and enough wicket-taking threat to trouble most batting line-ups if Hoddesdon execute their plans properly. The key, as always in 50-over cricket, will be maintaining pressure for sustained periods rather than chasing miracle deliveries.

LESSONS FROM LAST WEEK

While defeat to Preston CC ended Hoddesdon’s T20 Finals Day ambitions before they had properly begun, the performance itself still offered useful lessons ahead of the league campaign. Against strong opposition, Hoddesdon competed for long spells but ultimately paid the price for a handful of loose overs and a chase that never quite accelerated at the required moments. The encouraging aspect, however, was that the side still created opportunities despite not playing at their absolute best.

There were contributions throughout the XI, periods of strong cricket with both bat and ball, and signs that this squad has enough depth to improve as the season develops. Early May cricket is rarely flawless. The important thing now is how quickly lessons are absorbed.

REDBOURN AWAY IS NEVER EASY

Opening day away fixtures are rarely straightforward, and Hoddesdon will know Redbourn present a serious challenge. Home sides often arrive sharper in familiar surroundings, while the opening league fixture of the season always carries a little extra edge and unpredictability. Momentum can swing quickly. One strong opening spell or one aggressive partnership can dictate the tone of an entire afternoon. Hoddesdon therefore know the importance of starting well—not just in the match itself, but in the wider context of the season ahead. A positive opening result would immediately build confidence heading into the early weeks of the campaign and reinforce belief within a side that clearly possesses plenty of potential.

THE ROAD AHEAD

The Championship Division looks fiercely competitive once again in 2026, with strong clubs spread throughout the table including Dunstable Town, Hemel Hempstead Town, North Mymms, Sawbridgeworth and Shenley Village among others. Every point will matter. Every dropped catch, every tight run chase and every bonus point could prove crucial come the business end of the summer. That makes opening day all the more important. For Hoddesdon, the long winter preparation is over. The talking stops now.

Saturday afternoon at Redbourn Common marks the beginning of another long cricketing journey—and Walters’ men will head there believing they are capable of making this a season to remember.

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