The opening month of the 2026 season could hardly have gone much better for Hoddesdon CC 1st XI, but Rob Walters’ side now face another important examination this Saturday as they travel to face Preston CC, Herts at The Recreation Ground in the HPCL Championship Division. Fresh from last weekend’s magnificent victory away at Sawbridgeworth, the green-and-whites make the trip to Preston sitting proudly at the summit of the table, full of confidence and carrying serious momentum into another potentially awkward away fixture.

And while the scorching temperatures of last weekend are expected to ease slightly, conditions are still forecast to be warm with sunny spells and patches of cloud throughout Saturday afternoon — meaning another long day in the field could await whichever side fails to seize control early.

For Hoddesdon, however, the mood remains extremely positive.

Last Saturday’s stunning 62-run victory over previously unbeaten Sawbridgeworth felt like a major statement from Walters and his players. Against one of the early pace-setters in the division, Hoddesdon produced a performance packed with character, discipline and quality. Walters himself led from the front with a superb 158, an innings full of authority and composure, while overseas star Himesh Ramanayake once again underlined his immense value with an outstanding all-round display that later earned him the club’s coveted Green Jacket award. The result kept Hoddesdon top of the Championship Division table with maximum points from their opening three fixtures, and although it remains early days, there is little doubt the side have started the campaign in outstanding fashion.

Yet Walters insists nobody inside the dressing room is getting carried away.

“We’re pleased with the start obviously,” said the Hoddesdon captain. “But it’s still very early in the season and there’s a huge amount of cricket left to play. What I’ve liked most is the attitude from the lads. Training has been excellent, the effort levels have been brilliant and there’s a real hunger around the group.”

“Last weekend was a fantastic result for us away at Sawbridgeworth, but Preston will be another very tough game. They’ve got dangerous players and if you’re slightly off your game in this division, you get punished.”

That competitive edge within the squad is clearly driving standards upward.

Selection this week was again far from straightforward, with Walters admitting several players unfortunate to miss out following another strong week of availability and training. That strength in depth is rapidly becoming one of Hoddesdon’s biggest assets. Walters again captains the side and arrives in Preston in exceptional form following his Sawbridgeworth masterclass. The skipper’s ability to control an innings while still maintaining an aggressive tempo has proven hugely important during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Alongside him, Hoddesdon’s batting unit continues to look increasingly dangerous.

Usmaan Shafi remains one of the most explosive players in the division on his day, capable of turning games inside the opening ten overs, while James Mitchell Jr continues to develop into one of the county’s brightest young talents. Mitchell Jr’s composure and shot selection have already impressed teammates and supporters alike, and there is genuine excitement around what the youngster could achieve this season. Overseas player Himesh Ramanayake again features after another outstanding all-round contribution last weekend. The Sri Lankan has quickly become a hugely popular figure around the club, both for his performances and his infectious enthusiasm. His influence with both bat and ball could once again prove crucial away from home.

Will Steward keeps wicket and continues to provide calmness behind the stumps, while experienced campaigner James Curtis offers reliability and balance with both disciplines. Johnny Munday returns to the side after impressing, Andrew Lewis continues his run in the team, and Om Thakeria plus Muhammad Hasan Ali provide further bowling depth for Walters. Mohammed Asif also feautres in the side as Hoddesdon look to maintain their unbeaten start.

But while Hoddesdon supporters have every reason to feel optimistic, Preston are certainly not a side to underestimate.

Their season may have been inconsistent so far, but the statistics show they possess several players capable of producing match-winning performances. Last weekend Preston slipped to a narrow two-wicket defeat away at Dunstable Town after being bowled out for 158, but the scoreline perhaps hides how dangerous they can be. Only a week earlier they hammered Redbourn CC by 151 runs after piling up an enormous 330/7, while their opening weeks have already produced several standout individual performances.

The main danger man appears to be Preston skipper Edward Wharton.

Wharton has enjoyed an exceptional start to the season both with bat and ball. His 104 against Redbourn demonstrated his ability to dominate attacks, while Hoddesdon supporters will certainly remember the classy 94 he produced against them earlier this season. If that wasn’t enough, he currently tops Preston’s bowling charts with an outstanding 15 wickets at an average of just 9.53 and a miserly economy rate of 3.33. Quite simply, Wharton is a genuine match-winner.

James Doherty is another player Hoddesdon will need to contain. The middle-order batter has already registered a century this season and appears capable of constructing long innings under pressure. Rishabh Srinivasan also offers dangerous all-round qualities, while Luke Marsden’s excellent economy rate suggests Hoddesdon’s batters may need patience if conditions assist the bowlers.

Walters acknowledged the threat Preston carry.

“They’ve got some serious players,” he admitted. “Wharton has obviously had a brilliant start to the season and Doherty is another very good cricketer.”

“We know we’ll have to work hard for everything on Saturday, especially away from home. But the lads are confident and looking forward to it.”

One of the most pleasing aspects of Hoddesdon’s start has been their ability to win games in different ways.

Against Preston earlier in the campaign, they showed resilience under pressure. Against Sawbridgeworth, they produced a dominant all-round display away from home. Earlier in the season they also demonstrated composure in difficult moments against strong opposition. That adaptability is often the hallmark of successful sides. Importantly too, contributions are arriving from all areas of the team.

Walters’ century last weekend understandably dominated headlines, while Ramanayake deservedly picked up the Green Jacket award, but players throughout the side continue to make valuable contributions at key moments. The bowling unit has shown discipline. The batting order has displayed depth. Fielding standards have remained sharp even during punishing temperatures. Those details matter across a long HPCL campaign.

Saturday’s conditions may again test fitness levels. Although temperatures are forecast to sit slightly below the brutal heat experienced at Sawbridgeworth, it is still expected to be another warm afternoon with hydration and energy management likely to play an important role.

Fortunately for Hoddesdon, the squad appears in excellent spirits physically and mentally.

Training attendance has reportedly remained extremely strong throughout May, something Walters believes reflects the positivity currently surrounding the club.

“There’s a real buzz around the group at the moment,” he said. “People are enjoying their cricket and that’s important.”

“But we know things can change quickly if standards slip, so we’ve got to keep working hard and keep improving.”

Supporters travelling to Preston will certainly hope that improvement continues this weekend. The Recreation Ground has traditionally been a difficult venue for visiting sides, and Preston will undoubtedly see this fixture as a huge opportunity to derail Hoddesdon’s perfect start while climbing the table themselves. But equally, Hoddesdon arrive with growing belief. Three wins from three. Top of the league. Strong competition for places. Outstanding training standards. Match-winners throughout the side. Everything about the opening weeks suggests this Hoddesdon side is building momentum. Saturday now presents another opportunity to strengthen that early-season position and continue laying down markers to the rest of the division.

And after the statement victory at Sawbridgeworth, Walters and his men will travel to Preston believing they can overcome another difficult away assignment.

PRESTON CC, HERTS 1ST XI vs HODDESDON CC 1ST XI

Match Details

Competition: Herts Premier Cricket League – Championship Division 50/50
Date: Saturday 30th May 2026
Start Time: 12:00pm
Venue: The Recreation Ground, Preston, Near Hitchin, Herts, SG4 7TZ

Hoddesdon CC 1st XI

Rob Walters (c)
Usmaan Shafi
James Mitchell Jr
Himesh Ramanayake
Will Steward (wk)
Rob Jones
Johnny Munday
Andrew Lewis
Om Thakeria
Muhammad Hasan Ali
Mohammed Asif

Preston CC Danger Men
Edward Wharton – 15 wickets this season alongside scores of 104 and 94.
James Doherty – middle-order batter with a century already this campaign.
Rishabh Srinivasan – dangerous all-rounder capable of changing games quickly.

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