HPCL Division 4A
Saturday 17 May 2025
Ascots Lane, Hatfield
Hatfield & Crusaders 1st XI (108 all out, 29.1 overs) lost to Hoddesdon 2nd XI (140 all out, 49.3 overs) by 32 runs

A week after toppling Sandridge 1st XI in a hard-fought contest at Lowfield, Adrian Lee’s men travelled to Ascots Lane and delivered another gritty, gutsy performance — this time beating Hatfield and Crusaders 1st XI by 32 runs in a low-scoring thriller.

Having been inserted under grey skies on a pitch offering seam movement and inconsistent bounce, Hoddesdon’s total of 140 all out in 49.3 overs was a study in battling cricket. While the scoreboard may not have sparkled, the value of every run became clear when the home side folded for just 108 in under 30 overs — undone by a relentless Hoddesdon bowling unit and a fielding display brimming with energy, belief, and togetherness.

It’s a result that makes it two wins from two for Hoddesdon in 2025, and places them 3rd in the Division 4A table — level on 60 points with Harpenden 3rd XI and Hitchin 2nd XI, but behind on bonus points. Make no mistake: this team is beginning to look like serious promotion contenders.

A Challenging Start: Early Struggles Against the New Ball
After losing the toss, Hoddesdon were asked to bat first by Hatfield skipper Ben Gethin Golder — a decision that looked vindicated early on as seam movement and disciplined bowling kept the visitors under the cosh.

Openers Bilal Ahmad and Adrian Lee walked out with intent, but neither could impose themselves on a lively new-ball spell. Both openers were removed by the eight over — Bilal caught bowled for 8 off the tidy seam bowling of Ian Golder, and Adrian soon following, also for 8, bowled by the same bowler. Hoddesdon were 14 for 1, then 19 for 2, and it quickly became clear that this wasn’t going to be a day for fluent stroke play. According to Lee, the surface was a 'bit of a minefield'...

In truth, Hoddesdon's top order was stifled by Hatfield’s three-pronged new-ball attack. With Golder, Rory Gethin-Golder, and Sam Edge all extracting bounce and swing, runs were hard to come by. The surface demanded respect, but Hoddesdon’s batters were forced into mistakes while trying to keep the scoreboard moving.

Middle Order Graft: Mazurura and Harcombe Offer Resistance
Tyrone Mazurura and George Kimberley attempted to stabilise things and put together a gritty stand. Mazurura in particular played with a level head, resisting the urge to counterattack and instead accumulating steadily. He struck four boundaries in his 19 — each one earned through patience — but was eventually caught by Rory Gethin-Golder attempting to push the rate.

Kimberley and Rocco Cuffaro soon followed, both falling cheaply to catches by Aman Singh, and when Hoddesdon were reduced to 54 for 5, the innings hung by a thread.

It needed something — or someone — special to drag the team back into the match. That role fell to Rob Harcombe, who has made a knack of delivering when Hoddesdon have needed it most. Known in the dressing room as 'Sharky', the experienced man was could smell blood and began to circle.

Harcombe Leads the Recovery with a Crucial 38
Harcombe played arguably the innings of the day — a vital 38 from 98 balls that was part stonewall, part stabiliser. Though boundaries were few (3 fours and 1 six), his calm presence and ability to rotate the strike were invaluable in marshalling the tail. Asif Mohammed, who played the only other fluent knock of the innings — a punchy 18 from 16 balls that included four crisp boundaries - gave Hoddesdon some badly needed impetus, as wicket keeper Ben De Fig was dispatched for just 2.

A flurry of late wickets followed, with Benjamin Strong run out for 7 and both Freddie Webb and Harcombe falling just as the visitors eyed 150. They ultimately fell just short, bowled out for 140 in 49.3 overs. Charlie Tackley remained unbeaten on 6 from 13 balls faced.

At the time, the total felt about 30 or so runs light. But the confidence and hunger in this Hoddesdon side cannot be underestimated — and they took the field as though they had 200 on the board.

The Golder Gamble Fails: Hatfield’s Top Order Collapses
Hatfield and Crusaders began their reply with their captain Ben Gethin Golder and Barry Phillips at the top of the order — but Hoddesdon’s bowlers came out breathing fire.

Asif Mohammed, opening the bowling, struck early and decisively. He removed Daryl Mlotshwa for 10 after earlier getting the key wicket of Golder, who had looked threatening with a rapid 27 from just 17 balls. His dismissal — caught — opened the floodgates.

Rob Harcombe, having already proved his worth with the bat, turned in a wonderful spell with the ball too. He removed both Phillips for 5 and Jennings for a two ball duck, the latter being beaten for pace, and suddenly Hatfield were 52 for 4 with the run rate irrelevant and survival itself in question.

Asif continued to probe and picked up his third and fourth wicket — a deserved reward for a testing 7-over spell that finished with spectacular figures of 4 for 25. His ability to dazzle opponents and move the ball away from right-handers made him virtually unplayable during his spell.

Tackley Turns the Screw, Webb Cleans Up the Tail
Hatfield’s lower-middle order never really looked capable of absorbing pressure. Though Rory Gethin-Golder struck a defiant 24 and Juvin James chipped in with a lively 13, neither could build partnerships of substance.

Enter Charlie Tackley, whose introduction turned the screw. His blend of accuracy and subtle variation accounted for three wickets — including James, the dangerous Rory Gethin-Golder and tail ender Deepak Hasiza, the latter cleaned up by a beautiful delivery that bamboozled everyone.

With Freddie Webb striking in his first over to remove Saurabh Bezalwar, the final pair had little chance of survival. Tackley returned to bowl Rory Gethin-Golder and wrap up the innings at 108 all out in 29.1 overs, completing another clinical second-innings performance from Hoddesdon.

Bowling Scorecard
Asif Mohammed: 4 for 25 off 7
Rob Harcombe: 2 for 25 off 10
Charlie Tackley: 3 for 35 off 8.1
Freddie Webb: 1 for 13 off 4

It was a performance of balance and intent. Every bowler played their part, and Hoddesdon's fielding — quick, alert, and vocal — kept the energy sky-high from the first over to the last.

Captain’s Thoughts
After the match, skipper Adrian Lee reflected on another satisfying win:

“We knew 140 wasn’t a big score, but we backed ourselves to defend it with discipline and heart. I thought the way Rob and Asif bowled up top was sensational, and then Charlie and Freddie finished things off brilliantly. These are the types of wins that shape a season.”

Table Talk: Hoddesdon Climb to Third
With another 30 points in the bag, Hoddesdon move up to third in Division 4A on 60 points, level with Hitchin 2nd XI and Harpenden 3rd XI as well as Northwood Town CC 1st XI who occupy 4th. All four teams have two wins from two.

Here’s how the top of the table looks after two rounds:

1 Harpenden CC - 3rd XI 60pts
2 Hitchin CC - 2nd XI 60pts
3 Hoddesdon CC - 2nd XI 60pts
4 Northwood Town CC - 1st XI 60pts
5 Old Haberdashers' CC - 1st XI 42pts

With momentum on their side and confidence high, Hoddesdon will be eyeing a real push for promotion if they can continue their early-season form.

Key Performers
Rob Harcombe – 38 runs and 2 wickets: a true all-round effort that helped anchor both innings.
Asif Mohammed – 4 wickets in a hostile new-ball spell that broke the back of the Hatfield innings.
Charlie Tackley – 3 for 35: put the oppo to the sword when it mattered most, following up on his heroics last week.
Adrian Lee’s captaincy – astute bowling changes and field placements under pressure, that harvested 5 catches.

Conclusion: Hoddesdon’s Character Shines Through
This wasn’t a dominant win in terms of the scoreboard — but it was a massive victory in terms of character, resilience, and execution under pressure. Hoddesdon’s 2nd XI are not just winning games — they’re earning them, fighting tooth and nail, and building a team identity based on heart and cohesion.

With two wins from two and big-name scalps already under their belt, the signs are promising. This squad is growing in belief with every over bowled and every run scored. And with their blend of youth, experience, and spirit, Adrian Lee’s side are shaping up to be serious contenders in Division 4A. Watford Town 2nd XI travel to Lowfield next Saturday as the twos look to make it 3 out of 3.

And who would bet against them?

#greenmachine