Saturday afternoon at Lowfield brought with it a cocktail of emotions for Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s 2nd XI.

On paper, it was a simple equation: Adrian Lee’s side had to win against runaway promotion challengers Hitchin 2nd XI, and then pray for a favour from bottom club Old Haberdashers against Hatfield and Crusaders. Victory for Hoddesdon would keep the door ajar in the fight for survival, but anything less from Old Habs would see the gallant 2s consigned to life in Division 4B next season.

What followed was one of the most spirited Hoddesdon performances of the campaign – perhaps of recent memory – as they tore into the league leaders and emerged with a pulsating three-wicket victory. Hitchin’s decision to bat first baffled the home camp, and Hoddesdon’s bowlers grabbed the opportunity with both hands, dismissing their opponents for 159 in 36.1 overs before chasing the target with grit, determination and a touch of style.

It was a result that derailed Hitchin’s title charge – leaving Broxbourne 2nd XI firmly in the box seat to lift the Division 4A crown – but also one that came tinged with disappointment. News filtered through later in the afternoon that Hatfield and Crusaders had beaten Old Haberdashers, rendering Hoddesdon’s triumph moot in terms of survival. Relegation was confirmed. Yet, the spirit inside Lowfield was anything but deflated. The 2nd XI had finally roared again, ending a barren run of eight straight defeats with a performance dripping in character.

Animal Back in the Hotseat

Much of the pre-match buzz centred around the return of skipper Adrian “Animal” Lee, back from his family holiday in the Caribbean. Tan topped up and energy refreshed, the Hoddesdon stalwart walked out to lead his side knowing this could be one of his last opportunities to captain in Division 4A for some time. It was Hitchin who won the toss and, to Hoddesdon’s surprise, chose to bat first on a pitch offering movement under overcast skies. “We couldn’t believe it,” Lee admitted afterwards. “If I’d won the toss, I’d have bowled without a second thought. We knew conditions would suit our seamers, and the lads were buzzing when Hitchin decided to stick themselves in.”

That decision set the tone for a dramatic opening session.

Marsh and Atkinson Rip Through Hitchin

The Hoddesdon attack, spearheaded by Greg Marsh and Martin Atkinson, bowled with venom, discipline and relentless energy. Marsh – later named joint winner of the club’s coveted Green Jacket award, shared with 1st XI star Clay Stone – was unplayable at times, extracting bounce and nip from the surface. He finished with 4-33 from his 10 overs, removing key men at crucial moments. Atkinson, too, was superb, his canny changes of pace and movement accounting for three Hitchin wickets at a cost of just 52 runs in eight overs. Between them, Marsh and Atkinson dismantled Hitchin’s middle order, sparking a collapse from a relatively solid 76-3 to 116-7. Support came from Dan Billson (1-33) and Benjamin Strong (2-14 from 3.1 overs), while young Charlie Tackley, usually Hoddesdon’s miser with the new ball, toiled hard without reward but played his part in building pressure.

For Hitchin, only David Moore (24), Jon Guest (23), Gurdeep Jandu (23) and a brisk late cameo from Tristan Whittle (24) offered any real resistance. Marsh’s probing line saw him remove opener Rory Ingram for 7 and later Moore and Flint in quick succession. Atkinson, meanwhile, struck crucially to dismiss Guest and Tilbury. Strong’s late double blow mopped up the tail, with Hitchin all out for 159 inside 37 overs. The hosts left the field sensing something special might be on the cards.

Early Jitters in the Run Chase

If Hoddesdon’s bowlers had set up the platform, the batsmen still needed to deliver. Yet, true to the drama of the season, the chase began nervously.

Bilal Ahmad fell cheaply for 2, followed by captain Lee, trapped lbw for a steady 26 after playing some fluent drives. Ross Angelini (16) and Daniel Hawkins (3) both departed cheaply, while Strong and Ash Hill followed in quick succession. When Hoddesdon slumped to 51-5, then 56-6, Hitchin sensed the inevitable. It left one onlooker muttering to himself, "...surely they can't throw this away...".

But cricket has a funny way of rewriting scripts.

Marsh and Atkinson to the Rescue

Step forward again Greg Marsh and Martin Atkinson. Having already dominated with the ball, the pair combined with the bat in what turned out to be a match-winning stand. Marsh played with maturity and steel, striking six boundaries in a controlled 54 not out from 64 balls. At the other end, Atkinson counter-attacked superbly, clubbing three fours and two sixes in a blistering 40 from 40 deliveries. Together, they rebuilt the innings from the brink of disaster. Their 83-run partnership wrestled momentum firmly back into Hoddesdon’s favour, silencing Hitchin’s fielders and bringing the Lowfield faithful to their feet.

Even when Atkinson fell with the score at 139-7, Marsh remained calm, guiding the team home with support from Oliver Maughan (1*). The winning runs sparked jubilant celebrations as Hoddesdon finished on 160-7 from 40 overs, clinching a memorable three-wicket victory.

Green Jacket Glory

The post-match presentations told their own story. Greg Marsh was the obvious standout, his all-round display (54* and 4-33) earning him the Green Jacket. It was a fitting recognition for a player who has quietly carried Hoddesdon at times this season, his consistency finally rewarded with a performance to savour. Atkinson, too, could count himself unlucky not to walk away with the accolade, but his contribution of 40 runs and 3-52 was equally vital. Between them, Marsh and Atkinson had effectively won the match single-handedly – with bat, ball, and sheer determination.

Hitchin’s Title Bid in Jeopardy

While Hoddesdon celebrated, Hitchin were left to reflect on a defeat that could cost them the title, the loss opening the door for their rivals to extend their lead at the summit. With only one round remaining, Broxbourne now look strong favourites to clinch top spot, while Hitchin may rue their decision to bat first on a bowler-friendly wicket. For Hoddesdon, the result may not have changed their league fate, but it did confirm one thing: they can match, and beat, the very best in Division 4A when the stars align.

Relegation Confirmed

Elsewhere, news from Old Haberdashers filtered through. Hatfield and Crusaders, knowing victory would secure their own safety, duly obliged by dispatching the division’s bottom side with relative ease. Their win lifted them clear of the drop zone, condemning Hoddesdon to relegation to Division 4B. The updated league table paints the picture: Hoddesdon sit ninth, level on wins with Old Habs but with slightly more points, while Hatfield leap clear. It means Adrian Lee’s side will ply their trade in the lower division next season, seeking an immediate return.

Animal’s Pride

Despite the disappointment of relegation, skipper Adrian Lee was full of pride for his players.

“I couldn’t have asked for more from the lads today,” he said. “We’ve had a tough run, but the spirit never dropped, and today you saw what this team is all about. Marshy and Martin were unbelievable – that was as good an all-round performance as I’ve seen at this level. Hitchin are top of the league for a reason, but we out-battled them in every departmen".

“Of course, we’re gutted it wasn’t enough to save us, but to end our run with a win like that – and against the leaders – gives us something to build on for next year. We’ll regroup in Division 4B and come back stronger.”

Lee, affectionately known as Animal around the club, also took heart from the atmosphere at Lowfield. “The support was brilliant – the crowd got behind us, and I think the boys fed off that. It was a proper Hoddy day.”

A Season of What-Ifs

For Hoddesdon, the 2025 season has been one of frustration. After a promising start, injuries, unavailability and narrow defeats piled up. Their win over Hitchin was their first since the win at home against basement boys Haberdasher's in mid June, snapping a sequence of eight consecutive losses. The side have too often found themselves competitive without crossing the line, but the Hitchin result at least reminded everyone of their potential. With one game remaining, away to Harpenden 3rd XI, Lee’s men will look to finish on a high before resetting for next year.

Looking Ahead

Relegation will sting, but it could also be the reset Hoddesdon need. The likes of Marsh, Atkinson, Billson and Strong have shown they can dominate at this level, while the batting order now has evidence that others can step up when required. If Hoddesdon can retain their core, add depth, and harness the spirit shown against Hitchin, there’s every chance they can bounce back quickly in 2026.

Conclusion

Saturday’s match at Lowfield encapsulated the essence of cricket – drama, tension, joy, heartbreak and ultimately pride. Hoddesdon 2nd XI may have been relegated, but in defeating the league leaders with such grit and style, they signed off their home campaign with heads held high. For Greg Marsh and Martin Atkinson, it was a day to remember. For Animal, it was a bittersweet return to the captaincy hot seat. For Hitchin, it was a costly slip in their title pursuit. And for the Hoddesdon faithful, it was proof that even in the darkest hours, the 2's can still bite. One more match remains, but the real story of this weekend was written at Lowfield.

Hoddesdon may be down, but they are certainly not out.

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