Hoddesdon’s First XI return to Lowfield this Saturday determined to turn a sequence of competitive performances into a much-needed victory when second-placed Sawbridgeworth visit in the Herts Premier Cricket League Championship Division. The 11am start brings together two sides with plenty still to play for, with Hoddesdon looking to climb back towards the upper half of the table while Sawbridgeworth attempt to maintain pressure on runaway leaders North Mymms.

Recent results have not brought the rewards Hoddesdon’s cricket has often deserved, but the bare sequence of three defeats and a draw does not tell the whole story. They have repeatedly taken games deep, pushed strong opponents to the brink and collected useful bonus points, with the quality of their batting particularly evident in totals of 269 for seven against Shenley Village, 278 for eight against North Mymms and 249 against Redbourn. Last weekend’s draw at Dunstable Town offered further encouragement. After Dunstable made 271, Hoddesdon reached 225 for six from 57 overs to secure 11 points, with Rob Walters making 52, James Mitchell contributing 44, Andrew Lewis adding 36 and Himesh Ramanayake finishing unbeaten on 55. It was another demonstration that the side possesses the patience and depth required for timed cricket, even if the decisive victory has remained frustratingly out of reach.

Hoddesdon therefore enter the weekend sixth in the Championship Division with 169 points from 11 matches. They sit only two points above Dunstable, seven behind Luton Town & Indians and eight behind Welwyn Garden City, meaning one strong afternoon could quickly alter the appearance of the middle of the table. Shenley Village are also within range on 194, and Hoddesdon know a positive run over the coming weeks could yet transform their position. North Mymms remain firmly in command of the title race with 262 points, 45 clear of Sawbridgeworth, who occupy second place on 217. The visitors cannot afford to lose further ground if they are to maintain realistic hopes of catching the leaders, but Hoddesdon have already shown this season that they can beat Saturday’s opponents comprehensively and will take confidence from that earlier meeting.

The Championship Table

That encounter came at Sawbridgeworth on May 23, when Hoddesdon produced one of their finest all-round displays of the campaign to win by 62 runs. Walters led a formidable batting performance with a magnificent 158 as Hoddesdon piled up 328 for six from their 50 overs, setting a target that placed the home side under immediate scoreboard pressure. Ramanayake then took four for 30 and Harry Mason claimed four for 42 as Sawbridgeworth were dismissed for 266 in 42 overs. It was an emphatic result against one of the division’s leading teams and remains an important reminder that, when Hoddesdon combine their batting power with sustained control in the field, they are capable of overcoming anyone in the competition.

Hoddesdon Took The Spoils Back In May

First xi Captain Rob Walters is unavailable this weekend but his deputy, Will Steward, believes that previous victory should give his side confidence without allowing complacency to creep in. “We played extremely well at their place, but we also know Sawbridgeworth are a strong side and they have responded very well since then,” he said. “Saturday is a completely new game, although it is useful for the players to know that we have already performed to a very high standard against them this season.”

Sawbridgeworth arrive at Lowfield after collecting 20 points from a high-scoring draw away to Welwyn Garden City. They declared on 329 for seven from 56 overs before reducing Welwyn to 254 for nine from 61 overs, coming within one wicket of securing a victory which would have kept them closer to North Mymms at the summit. That innings was dominated by Joe Joyce, who struck a superb unbeaten 160 and has become one of the Championship Division’s most dangerous all-round players. Joyce has scored 420 runs at an average of 46.67, with two centuries, while also taking 17 wickets at an exceptional average of 13.71 and an economy rate of only 3.53.

Joe Joyce Continues To Impress

Joyce had previously made an unbeaten 112 as Sawbridgeworth defeated Hemel Hempstead by eight wickets earlier in July, underlining his ability to control an innings as well as dominate it. Hoddesdon will need to find a way past him before he settles, because his recent form suggests he is capable of shaping the entire contest with either bat or ball. Matt Doran is Sawbridgeworth’s leading run-scorer with 503 at 45.73, including five half-centuries and a best of 80. He has been remarkably consistent throughout the season, while Max Osborne has accumulated 353 runs at 44.13 and scores at an aggressive strike rate of 108.62, giving the visitors a potent mixture of stability and acceleration near the top of their order. Rehman Ahmed has added 301 runs, Charlie Rudkin has 246 at an average of 41 and Michael Burrell has made 215 at 53.75. Burrell’s strike rate of 122.16 illustrates the threat he can pose if allowed to arrive at the crease with wickets in hand and a platform already established.

Sawbridgeworth Will Visit Lowfield This Saturday

The bowling figures are equally impressive. Sayed Aziz leads Sawbridgeworth’s attack with 22 wickets at 19.91 and an economy rate of 3.88, while George Kenny has claimed 19 at 17.26, including the side’s best figures of five for 41. Joyce’s 17 wickets are complemented by Rudkin’s 14 and Osborne’s 13, giving the visitors a broad range of options across a long innings.

Steward is under no illusions about the challenge facing Hoddesdon. “Their statistics show that the wickets and runs are spread around the team, so there is no single player you can concentrate on and assume the job is done,” he said. “We have to remain disciplined for the full day, take our chances and make sure that every partnership they build is made as difficult as possible.”

Hoddesdon have plenty of their own form players, even with Walters not featuring in the selected XI this weekend. A family holiday to Portugal rules him out for this fixture and wicket keeper Will Steward will take on captain duties in his absence. The regular captain has amassed 698 runs this season and registered the side’s highest individual score of 158, while Himesh continues to provide remarkable consistency with both bat and ball. Ramanayake’s economy rate of 3.77 is the best at the club, and his ability to occupy the crease has been crucial during a demanding period of fixtures.

Will Steward Will Captain The Side This Saturday

Harry Mason remains Hoddesdon’s leading wicket-taker with 19, while James Curtis owns the best bowling figures of the season following his excellent five for 69 against Redbourn. Curtis will carry significant responsibility at the top of the order this weekend, with Usmaan Shafi and James Mitchell also capable of constructing substantial innings against a strong visiting attack.

The most eye-catching selection is the return of veteran Martin Brown, whose experience should be hugely valuable to the side. Brown’s commitments do not always allow him to be available for senior cricket, so his inclusion represents a welcome boost and gives Hoddesdon another proven performer capable of contributing with both bat and ball. There is always something special about seeing an established club figure return to the First XI, particularly for a high-profile home fixture. Brown understands Lowfield, understands the rhythms of timed cricket and has played enough competitive matches to remain calm when a game begins to tighten, qualities that could prove vital against a side occupying second place.

Martin Brown Returns To Lowfield

“Martin brings a huge amount of experience and cricket intelligence,” Steward added. “He knows the club inside out, he understands what different situations require and he will give the players around him plenty of support. We do not get him every week because of his schedule, so we are delighted to have him available for such a big game.”

Will retains the wicketkeeping gloves and provides important batting depth, while Andrew Lewis returns to a ground where he has already played several valuable innings this season. Gagan Dissanayake, Om Thakeria and Charlie Tackley complete a varied bowling attack which offers seam, control, spin and the ability to change pace throughout the afternoon. Dissanayake comes into the fixture following a superb display at Dunstable, where he took three wickets and held two excellent catches to earn the Greene King Level Head Green Jacket. Thakeria has taken 14 wickets this season and remains a genuine threat once the ball begins to grip, while Tackley gives Hoddesdon another disciplined option capable of building pressure through consistent areas.

Hoddesdon will hope that the forecast of warm and dry conditions provides another excellent surface at Lowfield. Temperatures are expected to be comfortable compared with the intense heat of recent weeks, although players will still need to manage their energy carefully during what could become a long and demanding timed encounter. Despite the recent run without a victory, there remains plenty of positivity around the First XI. Hoddesdon have competed closely with North Mymms, lost to Redbourn by only one wicket and secured a draw at Dunstable after showing considerable resilience, so the building blocks of a successful performance are already present.

“We are not far away,” Steward said. “There have been periods in the last few games where we have played some very good cricket, but the next step is joining those periods together and being ruthless when opportunities arrive. Sawbridgeworth will start as one of the strongest sides in the division, but we are at Lowfield, we have beaten them once already and everyone should be excited by the challenge.”

Hoddesdon First XI

Jamie Curtis
Usmaan Shafi
James Mitchell Jr
Johnny Munday
Himesh Ramanayake
Will Steward C & WK
Andrew Lewis
Martin Brown
Gagan Dissanayake
Om Thakeria
Charlie Tackley

Match details

Fixture: Hoddesdon CC First XI v Sawbridgeworth CC First XI
Competition: Herts Premier Cricket League Championship Division – Timed
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Start: 11am
Venue: Lowfield, Hoddesdon
Weather: Fairly warm and dry
Opposition ones to watch: Joe Joyce, Matt Doran, Max Osborne, Sayed Aziz and George Kenny

#GreenMachine