SANDRIDGE HOLD THEIR NERVE AS HODDESDON FALL JUST SHORT IN TIGHT DEFENCE

It was a bruising but hard-fought trip for Hoddesdon 2nd XI on Saturday as they fell to a 36-run defeat away to Sandridge 1st XI in HPCL Division 4A. Despite a heroic 81 from Bilal Ahmad and another polished spell from young seamer Oliver Maughan, Adrian Lee’s men couldn’t quite reel in the 228 set by the hosts on a baking hot day at Spencer Meadow.

After winning the toss, Lee chose to field first on a green-tinged wicket that offered early movement but promised to flatten out. The opening exchanges were tight, and Hoddesdon struck in the 10th over as Gregory Marsh had opener Umar Khan caught by Bilal Ahmad for 4 from a staggering 58 ball defensive war of attrition. It was the first breakthrough in what would be a disciplined bowling performance, but Sandridge’s middle order proved stubbornly resistant.

Zahir Ahmad, leading the home side as captain, played with fluency and confidence, punishing anything short with crisp back-foot cuts and lofting over mid-on with authority. He raced to 65 from just 54 deliveries, hitting 10 boundaries and three sixes in a counter-attacking innings that swung the early momentum.

Maughan then removed Ahmad thanks to a sharp catch by Lee at mid-off, and in the same spell, the pace man also accounted for Asif Ahmad, caught again by Bilal to leave Sandridge 59-2. Hoddesdon were briefly on top, but a string of dropped chances and some untidy overs in the middle period allowed the hosts to rebuild.

Rob Harcombe found his rhythm and nibbled one away to dismiss Izhar Ahmad for 4, before Asif Mohammed picked up the key wicket of Mozammal Hayat, whose aggressive 27 threatened to run away with things. Lee rotated his bowlers well, keeping the Sandridge rate in check, but a fluent knock of 51* from Alastair Taylor and a brisk 28 from Amit Vadera gave the innings late impetus.

Sandridge eventually closed on 228-9 from their 50 overs – competitive, but far from out of reach. Hoddesdon’s bowling unit shared the wickets around, with Maughan the pick at 3-30 from his seven overs. Harcombe (2-29), Charlie Tackley (1-41), Marsh (1-46), and Mohammed (1-32) all chipped in, while Lee himself returned miserly figures of 0-11 from four.

In reply, Hoddesdon’s chase got off to a horror start.

Freddie Hawkins was run out without scoring in the third over, pushing and failing to beat the throw, when a cry of 'no!" may have been a better option. Hawkins will, however, be better for the experience. Rocco Cuffaro followed soon after, caught off Hayat for a duck. When Lee himself was bowled for 0 just four balls later, a rare golden duck for the skipper, Hoddesdon had slumped to 9-3 and were staring down the barrel.

Gregory Marsh and Rob Harcombe attempted a rescue job, adding 36 gritty runs, but both fell just as they were beginning to settle – Marsh caught of the bowling of Zubair for 15, Harcombe chipping to a man off Vadera for 13.

That left Hoddesdon five down for 85, and the required rate climbing.

Amid the collapse, Bilal Ahmad stood firm. Coming in at number one, he played the innings of the day – a chanceless, patient, and at times punishing 81 from 139 balls. He struck nine boundaries and a towering six to remind us all of his obvious talents. While wickets tumbled at the other end, Bilal remained composed, ticking over the scoreboard with drives, flicks, and the occasional sweep.

He received solid support from George Kimberley (13 off 13) and later from Freddie Webb, who struck an unbeaten 25 in a late-order flurry that offered Hoddesdon some hope. The pair added 45 for the eighth wicket before Bilal was finally dismissed with just eight overs to go – bowled by Taylor after a defiant show of resistance.

With 49 needed from the final 5 overs, Webb and Charlie Tackley gave it their best, but the required rate proved too much. Hoddesdon finished on 192-8, falling 36 runs short of their target.

Though ultimately disappointed, Adrian Lee was quick to praise the fight shown by his side:

“We put in a proper shift in the field and Bilal’s knock gave us a real chance. But we left ourselves too much to do after losing early wickets again. We also didn't take enough of the catching chances that came our way. That’s been a pattern and we need to address it.”

The loss leaves Hoddesdon level on 139 points with Hatfield & Crusaders, just outside the relegation zone. But with a favourable run of fixtures ahead, they’ll believe survival is still well within reach.

Score Summary:
Sandridge CC 1st XI: 228/9 (50 overs)
Zahir Ahmad 65 (54), Alastair Taylor 51* (55), Amit Vadera 28 (29)
Oliver Maughan 3-30, Charlie Tackley 1-41, Rob Harcombe 2-29

Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI: 192/8 (50 overs)
Bilal Ahmad 81 (139), Freddie Webb 25* (39), George Kimberley 13 (13)
Mozammal Hayat 2-7, Umar Khan 1-22, Alastair Taylor 1-20

Sandridge CC won by 36 runs

Key Moments:

• Zahir Ahmad's counter-punch: Coming in at 4-1, the Sandridge skipper turned the game with a blistering 65. His clean striking and aggressive intent took the sting out of Hoddesdon's early success.
• Maughan’s spell: Bowling with pace and accuracy, Maughan removed both Ahmads, including the skipper, in a spell that turned heads on the boundary.
• Bilal’s brilliance: While others came and went, Ahmad dug deep for his 81. His innings had poise, patience, and just enough aggression to keep Hoddesdon in touch throughout.
• Three wickets in four balls: The early blows struck by Hayat and the Sandridge attack – removing Hawkins, Cuffaro, and Lee – left Hoddesdon chasing the game.
• Late surge halted: Despite a spirited final partnership, Hoddesdon’s failure to capitalise on middle-order starts once again cost them valuable points.

Looking Ahead:
Next week, Hoddesdon return home to Lowfield where they’ll face Hatfield and Crusaders in what may tiurn out to be a relegation decider. Hoddesdon will need to regroup quickly, work on top-order stability, and hope for another masterclass from Bilal or a spark from their returning senior players. Lee needs all of his dressing room generals right now, as well as the talent and hunger from his younger cadets.

One thing’s for sure: the fight remains.

#GreenMachine