Match Preview: Kings Langley 1st XI vs Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI
Saturday 9th August 2025 | 12:00pm | Kings Langley Common
HPCL Division 4A

With the season approaching its home straight, Hoddesdon Cricket Club's Saturday 2nd XI travel to Kings Langley this weekend for a must-win fixture in the HPCL Division 4A. After a bruising run of results, Adrian Lee’s men will be looking to snap a sequence of four defeats in their last five matches when they take on a Kings Langley side sitting comfortably in mid-table. While Hoddesdon are locked in a scrap to avoid the drop, Kings Langley are still outside contenders for a top-half finish, and both sides have plenty riding on the result this Saturday at Vicarage Lane.

The Form Book
It’s been a rough few weeks for the Green Machine. Their recent form guide reads L L X L L, with the most recent setback a four-wicket defeat at home to Broxbourne 2nd XI, despite a spirited performance with the ball. Hoddesdon have shown flashes of potential—Andrew Lewis’s composed 39, Finlay Higgs’s opening burst, and a resilient lower order effort—but have struggled for consistency and partnerships with the bat.

Kings Langley, meanwhile, have alternated between the sublime and the sluggish. Their last five reads X L W A L, with a strong win punctuated by stuttering losses. A mid-season surge has seen them establish themselves in 6th place on 257 points, but they’ll be wary of a Hoddesdon side fighting for their lives and desperate for league points.

Current League Standings – HPCL Division 4A (Top and Bottom)
Pos Team Pts
1 Hitchin CC 2nd XI 336
2 Northwood Town CC 1st XI 317
3 Broxbourne CC 2nd XI 302
4 Watford Town CC 2nd XI 286
5 Harpenden CC 3rd XI 260
6 Kings Langley CC 1st XI 257
... ... ...
8 Hatfield & Crusaders 1st XI 191
9 Hoddesdon CC Saturday 2nd XI 167
10 Old Haberdashers' CC 1st XI 97

A win for Hoddesdon could propel them closer to safety, with Hatfield still catchable. But with just a handful of fixtures left, points are now precious, and urgency is non-negotiable.

Team News – Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI
Adrian Lee leads a squad brimming with familiar faces, youth, and a couple of key returnees for the trip to Kings Langley:

• Freddie Hawkins
• Bilal Ahmad
• Adrian Lee (c)
• Phil Stafford (wk)
• Barney Heard
• Daniel Hawkins
• Olly Maughan
• Roly Heard
• Freddie Webb
• Charlie Tackley
• Dan Billson

The inclusion of Daniel Billson brings added hitting power and leadership experience from the 3rd XI, while Bilal Ahmad remains the side’s standout with the bat this season. Freddie Hawkins, a versatile player and developing all-rounder, gets another opportunity to impress, and Barney and Roly Heard continue to gain valuable 2nd XI experience. Phil Stafford dons the gloves, and the returning Dan Hawkins adds experience, control, and tactical nous to the attack.

Hall of Fame – Season Stats
Hoddesdon 2nd XI

• Top Run Scorer: Bilal Ahmad – 212 runs
• Highest Individual Score: Bilal Ahmad – 81
• Highest Strike Rate: Daniel Hawkins – 100
• Top Wicket Taker: Rob Harcombe – 10 wickets
• Best Bowling Figures: Freddie Webb – 6/30
• Best Economy Rate: Oliver Welsby – 2.6

It’s no secret that Hoddesdon’s batting hopes have rested heavily on Bilal Ahmad, whose 212 runs this season make him the most dependable contributor. His 81 remains the standout individual score, and the team will need him to fire again on Saturday. With Daniel Hawkins boasting a strike rate of 100 across minimal 2nd XI appearances this season, his inclusion brings middle-order muscle that could change the game quickly if he gets going. Bowling-wise, Rob Harcombe has led the charts, but with others stepping in this week, all eyes may be on Freddie Hawkins, Ollie Maughan, fresh faced Dan Billson, and the ever-tenacious Adrian Lee to take control with the ball.

Kings Langley 1st XI

• Top Run Scorer: Oliver Sills – 463 runs
• Highest Individual Score: Naveen Samaraweera – 101
• Highest Strike Rate: Asanga Gajasinghe – 200
• Top Wicket Taker: Oliver Sills – 31 wickets
• Best Bowling Figures: Oliver Sills – 6/35
• Best Economy Rate: Nitish Raj – 2.5

The home side are led in every department by Oliver Sills, a genuine all-round threat with 463 runs and 31 wickets. His 6/35 and commanding batting displays underline why he's one of the division's premier performers. Naveen Samaraweera’s unbeaten century earlier this season shows the depth of quality Kings Langley possess in their top order, and with Asanga Gajasinghe’s insane strike rate of 200, the Hoddy bowlers may have to work hard to contain their opponents.

Head-to-Head Focus
The previous meeting between the two sides saw Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI slipped to a third consecutive league defeat, comfortably beaten by 9 wickets on a frustrating day for Adrian Lee’s men.

In truth, the warning signs had been there from early in the morning. Heavy rain showers and a forecast of thunderstorms had put the fixture in serious doubt — and there was real question whether play would begin at all. But a determined effort from players and ground staff ensured the game did go ahead, albeit on a sluggish and difficult surface.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and there were many in green shirts who might have wished the heavens had opened once the game got underway. Hoddesdon’s batting stuttered to a below-par 160 all out, with only Barney Heard (19), Rocco Cuffaro (30) and a stylish 59 from captain Adrian Lee providing real resistance.

In reply, the visitors made light work of the chase — led by a sparkling 88 not out from Rahul Aggarwal — and cruised to victory inside 24 overs, condemning Hoddesdon to their third successive league loss.

Speaking after that match, skipper Adrian Lee was honest in his assessment:

“Obviously it’s hugely disappointing — especially at home, where we wanted to put on a big performance for the supporters.”

“Credit to Kings Langley — they bowled and batted well. But for us, it’s not good enough. Too many soft dismissals and we didn’t put them under any pressure with the ball. We can't blame the conditions, it's the same for both sides, so credit to our opponents today”

It was a soggy, sombre afternoon at Lowfield — a day when a rain abandonment might have spared blushes. But credit to the players and ground staff — the game was played in full, and the result offered a harsh but fair reflection of the contest.

Key Timings

• Meet at Lowfield (for lift): 10:00am
• Meet at Ground (WD4 9HR): 11:00am
• First Ball: 12:00pm sharp
• Venue: Kings Langley Common, WD4 9HR

The Captain’s Word
Adrian Lee was frank in his assessment of the last outing but remains focused on the task ahead.

“It’s crunch time now. We’ve been close in patches but haven’t put full performances together. This weekend is a chance to show what we’re made of. Kings Langley are strong, but we’ve got firepower, youth, and belief. We’ll give it everything.”

Lee also praised the spirit shown by the younger players in the group, noting how proud he was of the commitment being shown despite recent setbacks.

Keys to the Game

• Early Wickets: Kings Langley’s top three are destructive. Dismissing captain Tom Warrell, Sills or Samaraweera early could tilt the balance.
• Top-Order Partnerships: Too many collapses have plagued Hoddy. A strong start—30/0 becomes 70/1—will be vital.
• Death Overs Control: If Hawkins, Billson, and Maughan can strangle the scoring at the end, pressure will mount on the hosts.
• Back Bilal: Let your best batter face balls. Let your match-winner set the tone.

Despite contrasting league positions, this fixture may be closer than the table suggests. Kings Langley’s firepower is undeniable, but Hoddesdon arrive with a side that’s full of hunger, ready to scrap, and packed with players who can win matches on their own. Kings Langley start favourites—but if Hoddesdon’s batters show up and they strike early with the ball, this could be the upset of the round.

One to Watch
Hoddesdon: Daniel Hawkins – aggressive, confident, and will thrive wearing 2nd XI colours.

Kings Langley: Oliver Sills – the complete package. Stop him, and you’re in the game.

Hoddesdon need points. Kings Langley want pride. And Division 4A braces for another Saturday showdown.

Let battle commence.

#GreenMachine