Match Preview: Watford Town CC 2nd XI vs Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI
Saturday 26 July 2025
12:00 Start
HPCL Division 4A
Woodside Playing Fields, Watford

After a weather-enforced break last Saturday, Hoddesdon 2nd XI return to action with an away fixture at promotion-chasing Watford Town 2nd XI. With time ticking and league points becoming ever more precious, Adrian Lee’s side are in urgent need of results — and fast. Saturday’s clash at Woodside Playing Fields offers a daunting challenge but also a golden opportunity to reset, regroup, and reignite a season that’s been stalled since May.

Stuck in the Mud
Since beating Hatfield & Crusaders 1st XI away back on May 17th, Hoddesdon have endured a winless streak spanning over two months. The combination of narrow defeats and unconvincing performances has left them in joint-eighth place, level on points with Hatfield & Crusaders. While Old Haberdashers appear adrift at the foot of the table, the battle to avoid second bottom is very much alive.

The washout at Lowfield last Saturday denied Hoddesdon a chance to turn the tide against a beatable Hatfield & Crusaders side, indeed a side they have already beaten once this season. It also meant more time stewing on missed opportunities — but perhaps also a week of recovery and reflection that could yet prove valuable. Captain and head groundsman Adrian Lee gave the game every chance of being on last week, waiting until the final moments to admit defeat against the weather.

Watford on the Rise
This week’s opponents, Watford Town 2nd XI, currently occupy fourth spot with 226 points and have promotion ambitions of their own. Despite recent inconsistency — two wins and three defeats from their last five — they remain firmly in the hunt for the top two, and they’ll view Hoddesdon’s visit as a must-win encounter.

Watford’s Danger Men: Stats That Speak Volumes
Hoddesdon will need to bring their A-game to nullify Watford’s standout performers, who have been leading from the front all season. At the top of the batting charts is Ashwin Sooraj Pulla, who has piled on a formidable 507 runs, including a glittering century — a clear danger at the crease and a wicket Hoddesdon must prize early. His aggressive strokeplay and ability to accelerate make him a nightmare for bowlers once set. Complementing him is Javed Rajpurkar, a clean hitter with a blistering strike rate of 138.46, capable of turning the tide in a matter of overs. With the ball, Gunjan Hazarika has been Watford’s spearhead, snaring 15 wickets so far, including best figures of 4 for 29, and has the knack of striking in bursts. Add to that Rajpurkar’s tight economy rate of just 1.89, and it’s clear Hoddesdon’s batters will have to work incredibly hard for every run. Watford’s spine is packed with quality — and they’ve got the stats to prove it.

Watford’s home form has been a cornerstone of their success this season, and they’ve shown they’re capable of posting imposing scores and applying sustained pressure with the ball. Hoddesdon will need to hit the ground running and maintain discipline to stay in the contest.

Familiar Faces, Familiar Fight
While the squad for Saturday hasn’t been finalised, it’s expected to feature a similar core to recent weeks. Captain Adrian Lee remains the heartbeat of the side, contributing steadily with bat and ball and setting the tone in the field. Alongside him, experienced names like Phil Stafford and Rocco Cuffaro bring calm and control.

The youthful trio of Freddie Hawkins, Freddie Webb and Charlie Tackley provide athleticism and energy, while the likes of Tyrone Mazarura and Asif Mohammed offer match-winning X-factor and seasoned nous. Ross Angelini, a consistent and intelligent player, has quietly become one of Hoddesdon’s key contributors.

If the side can stay switched on in the field and avoid the familiar batting wobbles, there’s every chance of pushing Watford close.

What Needs to Change?
Too often this summer, Hoddesdon’s innings have started with promise but unravelled under pressure. Top-order partnerships have been few and far between, and a string of low scores has put the bowling attack under constant strain. With the weather set fair and a good pitch likely, Saturday presents the ideal platform to recalibrate.

Communication between the wickets, batting in partnerships, and occupying the crease will be the non-negotiables. Watford’s bowlers won’t give much away, so Hoddesdon’s batters must dig in and force errors rather than chase quick runs. With the ball, accuracy and patience will be vital. Hoddesdon’s attack is more than capable of causing problems, particularly if they strike early and apply scoreboard pressure.

The Bigger Picture
This weekend kicks off a crucial run of fixtures for Hoddesdon. With every point now carrying weight, a competitive showing — or better yet, an upset win — could completely shift the momentum. Watford may sit fourth, but they’ve shown cracks under pressure. For Lee’s men, this is about belief, direction, and pride in the badge.

Match Details
Watford Town CC 2nd XI vs Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI
Saturday 26 July 2025
2:00 start
Woodside Playing Fields, Watford
HPCL Division 4A

League Positions
4th – Watford Town 2nd XI – 226 pts
8th – Hoddesdon 2nd XI – 149 pts

Can the Green Machine Roar Again?
The wait for a win has stretched painfully long, but cricket has a funny way of turning tales around. With a mixture of grit, skill, and maybe just a pinch of luck, Hoddesdon could yet breathe life back into their season.

All roads lead to Watford — let’s see what this Saturday brings.

#GreenMachine