Hatfield & Crusaders CC 1st XI v Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI

HPCL Division 4A | Saturday 17th May | 12:00pm | Ascots Lane, Welwyn Garden City (AL7 4HL)

After a strong start at home, Hoddesdon 2nd XI are back in action this weekend — and this time, they’re on the road. Captain Adrian "Animal" Lee’s men head to Ascots Lane on Saturday to take on Hatfield & Crusaders 1st XI in what promises to be a compelling clash in Hertfordshire Premier Cricket League Division 4A.

Hoddy will be brimming with confidence after an outstanding 31-run victory over Sandridge 1st XI last weekend at Lowfield — a performance full of grit, flair and a little bit of Webb magic. It was a powerful opening statement from a side aiming to be right in the promotion mix this season, and the squad will be keen to keep that winning momentum alive in their first away day of the 2025 campaign.

Last Time Out: Webb and Stafford Sink Sandridge

Despite early wobbles with the bat (including Lee himself falling to what he later described as “an absolute jaffa”), the hosts rallied. Bilal Ahmad and Tyone Mazarura both showed promise before falling, but it was Phil Stafford who stole the show in the top order, smashing a commanding 69 from 84 balls with 12 fours and a six. And when a minor collapse threatened to undo their work, Louis Purves took control in the closing overs — his unbeaten 43 from 38 balls guiding the home side to a very competitive 235 for 7.

In reply, Sandridge had their moments, but once again Hoddesdon’s bowlers rose to the occasion. Freddie Webb, still a teenager, bowled one of the spells of his young career — a mesmerising 6-30 from 8.5 overs, tearing through Sandridge’s middle and lower order just as the visitors looked to push on. Backed up by two wickets for Oliver Maughan and a tight spell from Rob Harcombe, Hoddy completed the job and banked all 30 points.

League Table
Heading into round two, Hoddesdon sit third in the HPCL Division 4A standings on 30 points — behind Harpenden 3rd XI and Hitchin 2nd XI only on net run rate. It’s tight at the top, with five sides all locked at one win apiece. Hatfield & Crusaders are looking to bounce back after defeat in their opening game. Away to Harpended to Harpenden 3s, Crusaders won the toss and elected to bat but found themselves all out for 126 off 34.3 overs. Three ducks (including one golden) and nobody making it into the twenties meant that our hosts endured a miserable start to their season and therefore sit rock bottom of the division. Captain Ben Gethin Golder will be licking his wounds and rallying his troops for an important home game in an attempt to bounce back quickly. And don'e let the defeat fool you. The Welwyn based side have plenty of quality in their ranks and are able to put the Hoddesdon second string through the ringer. Players like Mark Collins, Matt Jennings, Aman Singh and Barry Phillips give their skipper plenty of options with the bat and with the ball, he has a gem in Ian Golder. Despite the defeat last week, Golder took 4 wickets in his 10 over spell, including 4 maidens and leaking just 16 runs at an economy of a very tidy 1.60. He took out the Harpenden 3rd XI opening pairing of Whiteley and Hooper inside 7 balls and must be taken seriously by Lee's side on Saturday.

Here’s how the table looks:

1. Harpenden 3rd XI – 30 pts
2. Hitchin 2nd XI – 30 pts
3. Hoddesdon 2nd XI – 30 pts
4. Northwood Town 1st XI – 30 pts
5. Old Haberdashers 1st XI – 30 pts

...
10 Hatfield & Crusaders 1st XI – 8 pts

This Week’s Opposition: Hatfield & Crusaders CC
Opening day defeat is always frustrasting. However, they are not a side to be underestimated. With home advantage at Ascots Lane and a point to prove, they’ll be desperate to avoid back-to-back losses. Their ground is known for being relatively quick-scoring if a side can weather the new ball, so Hoddy’s bowlers will need to strike early and keep their discipline through the middle.

Team Focus: Hoddesdon 2nd XI
Team line up's are not currently available yet, but Lee’s men will go into this one unchanged if fitness and availability permits. On that basis, expect several changes! The skipper himself is eager to lead from the front with the bat after a rare failure last week, but he’s confident in his side’s all-round quality.

With Stafford anchoring the top order, Cuffaro and Mazarura giving vital contributions through the middle, and bowlers like Webb, Harcombe, and Maughan all in form, this is a team with plenty of belief and balance. And beyond the raw numbers, there’s growing togetherness in the squad — a sense that this season could be something special.

“It’s still early days,” said Lee this week. “But we set out to start strong, and we’ve done that. Now it’s about consistency — applying pressure in every game and finding ways to win, home or away.”

Match Info
Hatfield & Crusaders 1st XI v Hoddesdon 2nd XI
Saturday 17th May 2025
12:00 PM Start
Ascots Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4HL
Follow live updates on the club’s socials and website
www.hoddesdoncricketclub.co.uk

Hoddesdon 2nd XI are up and running — and now, the Green Machine rolls into Welwyn Garden City hoping to keep the momentum alive. After a blistering start at Lowfield, can Animal’s men go two from two? One thing’s for sure: this side has the tools, the talent, and the temperament.

Now it’s time to show it on the road.

#GreenMachine