HPCL Division 4A Match
Northwood Town 1st XI vs Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI
Saturday 14 June 2025 – 12:00pm @ Duck’s Hill Road, Northwood

After a trio of bruising defeats, Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s 2nd XI head to Division 4A leaders Northwood Town this Saturday with resolve to halt their mid-season slide and rekindle the promising early season form that saw them climb as high as third in the standings.

Under the steady stewardship of skipper Adrian Lee, the squad will make the journey to Greater London knowing a tough challenge lies ahead — but also an opportunity to test themselves against the division’s benchmark side.

Northwood Town, unbeaten so far in 2025, sit proudly at the summit of the table with 5 wins from 5 and a maximum 150 points. In contrast, Hoddesdon have stumbled to eighth, collecting 71 points from two wins and three defeats — including three losses on the bounce since beating Hatfield and Crusader away in mid-May. The task, on paper, is sizeable. But cricket matches aren’t won on spreadsheets. They’re won with fight, focus, and belief — three ingredients Hoddesdon will need in buckets if they are to upset the table-toppers.

A Test of Character
It’s been a turbulent few weeks for the Green Machine. Defeat to Broxbourne in the local derby two weeks ago was followed last Saturday by a chastening nine-wicket loss at home to Kings Langley. After being inserted on a wet morning at Lowfield, Hoddesdon battled to a modest 160 all out, with only Lee (59), Barney Heard (19) and Rocco Cuffaro (30) offering resistance. The rest of the batting card faltered, and with the ball, the hosts were powerless to halt Rahul Aggarwal (88*) and Paul Ashford (42*) in a one-sided reply.

Captain Lee was candid post-match, admitting that the side needs to “regroup quickly” and rediscover their discipline and desire. “We’ve shown we can mix it with the best in this division. Now we have to show we can bounce back when things don’t go our way.”

Hawkins Gets His Chance
There is at least one feel-good story to boost the Hoddesdon ranks ahead of Saturday. Talented teenager Freddie Hawkins is set to make his 2nd XI debut, having impressed with the bat and ball for the club’s 3rd XI in recent weeks. The all-rounder’s call-up is richly deserved, and adds fresh energy to a side that could do with some injection of spark. At 15 years of age, some would find it a daunting prospect but Hawkins Jr will be well up for the test.

“Freddie’s earned his place through hard work and performances,” Lee said. “He’s fearless, and we think he’ll relish the step up. This is what we’re about as a club — giving opportunities to our own.”

Hawkins slots into a familiar XI that blends youth and experience. Adrain Lee will again open the batting with Barney Heard, while Bilal Ahmad, Tyrone Mazarura and Rob harcombe will balance the middle order. Cuffaro, Maughan, Mohammed, Webb and Tackley round out a side eager to prove recent form is a blip, not the start of a longer-term trend.

Know Your Opponent – Northwood Town CC
The hosts are in formidable form. Ruthless with the bat, tidy with the ball, and confident in every department. Their dominance has been built on a deep batting unit that posts big scores and a bowling attack capable of squeezing the life out of a chase. Northwood’s 1st XI are no strangers to the higher rungs of the HPCL ladder and will expect to continue their promotion push on home soil. Hoddesdon, however, know all too well that cricket’s greatest gift is its unpredictability. No side wins forever. No side is unbeatable.

Last time out, Northwood beat Harpenden by 25 runs. With the top order all failing to get into double figures, it was down to skipper Anjum to rescue the innings with a gutsy 76 off 92 balls. Lee will have to have a plan to ensure the captain isn't able to drag his side through the game again this week. Ajum also took 2 wickets, while Shah took 3 to take victory on Saturday.

For Hoddesdon, the formula is clear. Bat long, bowl straight, field tight. Execute the basics and the scoreboard pressure might just do the rest.

Key Battles to Watch
1. Adrian Lee vs Northwood’s New Ball Bowlers
The captain has been in excellent personal form despite his side’s recent struggles. His half-century last week came on a sticky surface and included nine boundary hits. Lee's role on Saturday will be twofold: occupy the crease and guide his younger teammates through turbulent passages. If Northwood’s seamers can get early movement at Duck’s Hill Road, Lee will need to be watchful — but if he gets going, he can anchor the innings and push 70+.

2. Hoddesdon Bowling vs Northwood’s Middle Order
On dry wickets, spin has proven effective against Northwood’s batters. The onus will be on Freddie Webb and possibly Asif or Rocco to control the run rate during the middle overs. Webb, while wicketless in his last outing, can tie up an end. If he can strike early this weekend, he’ll set Hoddy up for a fight. Debutant Hawkins will be waiting in the wings too, hoping the skipper will throw him the ball at some point.

3. Fielding – The Marginal Gains
Dropped catches and misfields have cost Hoddesdon dear in recent weeks. Northwood don’t need a second invitation. Every half-chance must be snapped up, every single turned into dot balls. The small margins often decide big games.

What’s at Stake?
For Northwood: A win consolidates their lead and keeps the pressure on Hitchin in second. They’ll want to make it six from six and continue their unrelenting pace at the summit.

For Hoddesdon: Pride. Momentum. Belief. And valuable points that could be crucial come August. A surprise win on the road would do wonders for morale and reaffirm their credentials as a top-half side.

And with the table still tightly packed in mid-division — just 15 points separating fifth from eighth — there’s still everything to play for as the season approaches its midpoint.

Form Guide
It’s been a tale of two seasons already. Strong wins early on for Hoddesdon, including a crushing performance against Hatfield and Crusaders, have been followed by three tough defeats. But the potential is there — and all it takes is one performance to shift the mood. Northwood meanwhile have steam rollered the division so far and rightly sit at the top of the table.

Captain’s Thoughts
Skipper Adrian Lee spoke with refreshing honesty ahead of the clash:

“We’re under no illusions — this will be our toughest test so far. But cricket’s funny. We’ve been hurt, and now we want to respond. I’ve told the lads to enjoy it. There’s no pressure. We know what we’re capable of. Let’s go out, play smart, and see where it takes us.”

He also took time to praise debutant Hawkins:

“Freddie’s been brilliant in the 3s. He’s full of energy and doesn’t shy away from responsibility. I’m backing him to make an impact.”

Match Details
Venue: Northwood CC – Duck’s Hill Road, Northwood, Greater London, HA6 2NP
Start Time: 12:00pm
Competition: HPCL Division 4A
League Positions: Northwood 1st XI – 1st (150 pts) | Hoddesdon 2nd XI – 8th (71 pts)

Squad – Hoddesdon 2nd XI

1. Barney Heard
2. Adrian Lee (C)
3. Rocco Cuffaro
4. Bilal Ahmad
5. Tyrone Mazarura
6. Freddie Hawkins (2nd XI debut)
7. Rob Harcombe
8. Olly Maughan
9. Asif Mohammed
10. Freddie Webb
11. Charlie Tackley

Final Word
Saturday’s clash in Northwood has all the makings of a compelling contest — the league leaders versus the underdogs with a point to prove. Hoddesdon won’t need reminding that cricket doesn’t always follow the script. And as they load up the cars and head south to Duck’s Hill Road, they’ll do so knowing this could be the week everything clicks again. They’ll need grit. They’ll need unity. But most of all, they’ll need belief, because if they bring their best, even the most well-drilled machine can be rattled.

Let the underdog roar.

#GreenMachine