Match Preview: Old Haberdashers’ CC 1st XI vs Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI

HPCL Division 4A – Saturday 23rd August 2025, 12:00pm, Croxdale Road Ground

As the Hertfordshire Premier Cricket League season moves into its decisive final stretch, the pressure is mounting on Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s 2nd XI. With just three matches remaining, every run and every wicket will carry enormous significance. This Saturday sees the team travel to Croxdale Road to face Old Haberdashers’ 1st XI – a side rooted to the bottom of Division 4A but still more than capable of springing a surprise. For Hoddesdon, ninth in the table and fighting for their Division 4A survival, this clash is nothing short of a must-win.

The State of Play in Division 4A

The league table tells the story of two sides battling at the wrong end of the standings. Hoddesdon currently sit in 9th place on 191 points, narrowly above Old Haberdashers, who are adrift in 10th with 117 points. Above Hoddesdon, Hatfield & Crusaders occupy 8th on 211 points, while Sandridge (7th) and Harpenden 3rd XI (6th) look increasingly safe with 278 and 306 points respectively. For Hoddesdon, the equation is simple but daunting: they must find victories in the last three fixtures to stand a realistic chance of pulling clear of relegation. The gap to Hatfield is 20 points – a manageable margin, but one that requires immediate momentum. Fail to take advantage against Old Haberdashers, and survival becomes an uphill battle.

Old Haberdashers, meanwhile, are effectively relegated already. With only 117 points to their name and a poor run of results, they sit 74 points adrift of safety with just three matches to play. But that does not make them harmless. A side with nothing to lose can often play with freedom, and on their home turf, they will be eager to spoil Hoddesdon’s survival bid.

Recent Form Guide

The form lines of the two sides highlight both the fragility and unpredictability of this fixture.

Hoddesdon 2nd XI: X L L L L
Hoddesdon’s last five league outings have yielded four defeats, with one abandoned. Their batting has struggled for consistency, while injuries and unavailability have disrupted rhythm and selection. The morale has taken knocks, but this is precisely the sort of fixture where reputations can be restored.

Old Haberdashers 1st XI: L L C W W
In stark contrast, Old Haberdashers have shown late-season flickers of life. After a series of heavy losses, they bounced back with victory away at Harpendedn last weekend, including a notable performance from Mehta with the ball and Brannan with the bat. Though too late to salvage their season, those wins demonstrate they retain dangerous weapons in both batting and bowling.

The result, then, is a clash of desperation versus defiance: Hoddesdon fighting for survival, Old Haberdashers fighting for pride.

Leadership Change – Ollie Maughan Steps Up

A subplot to the occasion is the absence of Hoddesdon skipper Adrian Lee, who is away on holiday at this crucial juncture. In his place, vice-captain Ollie Maughan will lead the side. Maughan has often been a vocal and energetic presence in the field, and this weekend provides him with the chance to prove his leadership qualities under the most intense pressure. Ollie’s calmness under fire will be vital. He’ll need to rotate his bowlers intelligently, keep spirits high, and ensure Hoddesdon are clinical in their execution. Matches at the foot of the table can be nervy, scrappy affairs, and his role will be to keep heads cool and focused.

Reinforcements from the 3rd XI's

With the squad not yet officially confirmed, whispers from the selection room suggest Hoddesdon are looking to inject resilience and experience. Both Dan Hawkins, the HPCL 3rd XI captain, and his HEBL 3rd XI counterpart, Ross Maughan, are expected to step up into the side. Their inclusion could prove pivotal.

Dan Hawkins: Known for his gritty batting and steady leadership, Hawkins brings a determined edge. He has battled in testing conditions for the 3rd XI this season and understands the pressures of tight matches. His presence should stiffen the middle order and he has already impressed when stepping up to 2s cricket this season.

Ross Maughan: An experienced campaigner who has featured across Hoddesdon’s sides, Ross adds reliability with both bat and ball. His cricketing intelligence could be crucial in helping his brother Ollie marshal the team.

These additions, alongside Hoddesdon’s regular core, suggest the visitors will field a side designed for resilience rather than flair – but that could be exactly what is needed in a relegation dogfight.

The Old Haberdashers Danger Men

Despite their lowly league position, Old Haberdashers boast individuals with the ability to turn matches. Their statistics from this season underline the threats Hoddesdon must contain.

• Hugh Brannan (311 runs, highest score 116)
• The talismanic batsman has been the standout performer with the bat. His 311 runs include a superb century, proving he can dominate attacks when settled. Hoddesdon must remove him early; allow him to play freely, and he could take the game away.
• Thanurshan Mahenthiram (strike rate 100)
• A powerful stroke-maker who scores at a run a ball, Mahenthiram can transform a steady innings into a match-winning assault. His presence in the middle order provides Haberdashers with explosive firepower.
• Hasit Mehta (13 wickets)
• Their leading wicket-taker, Mehta’s knack for breakthroughs makes him the bowler Hoddesdon will most want to see off. He poses a threat with the new ball and can return later in the innings to snap partnerships.
• Amit Gudka (best figures 5/42)
• Capable of devastating spells, Gudka has already proven he can run through a batting order. Hoddesdon’s batters must resist any rash shots against him, particularly during his first few overs.
• Meekesh Shah (economy 2.87)
• A miserly operator, Shah frustrates batsmen by drying up runs. His economy rate is outstanding in the context of Division 4A, and Hoddesdon will need to find ways to rotate against him to avoid pressure building.

These players, though surrounded by inconsistency, highlight why Haberdashers cannot be taken lightly.

Key Battles to Watch

• Hoddesdon’s Top Order vs Hasit Mehta. Too often this season, Hoddesdon have stumbled early with the bat. Seeing off Mehta’s early threat will be key to laying a platform.
• Hugh Brannan vs Hoddesdon’s New-Ball Attack. Dismissing Brannan cheaply could break Haberdashers’ backbone. Hoddesdon’s seamers must find movement and bowl with discipline.
• Spin Duel in the Middle Overs. With Shah and Gudka for the hosts, and Hoddesdon likely to use their own variety of tweakers, how each side manages spin pressure could prove decisive.
• Leadership of Ollie Maughan. His captaincy in a survival showdown adds intrigue. Can he keep composure and inspire his team?

Mentality and Pressure

Relegation battles are as much psychological as tactical. Hoddesdon will arrive knowing they cannot afford mistakes, while Old Haberdashers may relish their role as spoilers. Sometimes, the team with less to lose plays with more freedom. Hoddesdon must resist letting nerves dominate. Early confidence – whether through a strong start with the bat or quick wickets in the field – will be invaluable. Ollie Maughan’s side must approach with controlled aggression: positive intent, but not recklessness. Games like this are often decided by small margins, and the team that holds its nerve under pressure usually emerges victorious.

What This Game Means

For Hoddesdon, this fixture is a lifeline. Victory would propel them towards Hatfield’s position, applying pressure in the battle for survival. Defeat, however, could all but seal their fate. Momentum at this time of year is priceless, and Croxdale Road offers them the chance to seize it. For Old Haberdashers, pride is the prize. Already staring at relegation, they can target performances that prove their quality and build optimism for next season. With home advantage and several in-form individuals, they will back themselves to cause an upset.

Hoddesdon face a daunting challenge, but they travel with determination. Reinforced by Dan Hawkins and Ross Maughan, and under the interim leadership of Ollie Maughan, the team know what is at stake. On paper, Hoddesdon should have enough quality to win, but cricket is rarely played on paper, and danger men like Hugh Brannan and Hasit Mehta will ensure this is no walkover. The clash promises tension, drama, and high stakes – the kind of cricket where heroes are made and seasons are defined.

This one could go to the wire.

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