Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI v Northwood Town CC 1st XI – Lowfield Showdown in the Survival Scrap

Saturday 16th August 2025 – HPCL Division 4A, 12:00 start, Lowfield
Weather: Warm, mid-20s, with a touch of cloud cover

Hoddesdon CC’s 2nd XI head into one of their biggest matches of the season this Saturday when they welcome high-flying Northwood Town CC 1st XI to Lowfield in a clash that could prove decisive in their fight for HPCL Division 4A survival.

With the league table taking shape as the business end approaches, Hoddesdon sit 9th with 184 points – just ahead of bottom-placed Old Haberdashers, who look all but doomed with 87 points. While Old Habs’ fate seems sealed, the real battle is to avoid finishing 9th and facing the drop.

Third-placed Northwood Town, on 320 points, are still pushing for a top-two finish and promotion contention. For them, this is a chance to close the gap on Broxbourne 2nd XI (332 points) and leaders Hitchin 2nd XI (366 points). For Hoddesdon, it’s about grit, determination, and making home advantage count against one of the division’s strongest outfits.

Northwood Town’s danger men

The visitors bring with them a well-balanced and in-form side, with several names jumping off the HPCL Hall of Fame board.

With the bat, their top run-scorer Deepak Gairola has amassed 342 runs this season – consistency personified at the top of the order. Alongside him, Nischay Madhavan boasts the highest individual score for the club this year with an unbeaten 89*, a reminder that he can bat long and take games away from opponents. And if Hoddesdon’s bowlers stray in line, Krunal Patel is ready to punish them – his eye-watering strike rate of 158.82 suggests he deals in boundaries and rapid scoring bursts.

With the ball, Northwood’s main weapon is Iqbal Anjum, who leads their wicket charts with 22 wickets and has the best bowling figures of the season with 6/14 – a performance that underlines his ability to destroy batting line-ups in a single spell. Jay Patel, meanwhile, holds the season’s best economy rate at 1.22, meaning breaking free for quick runs will be a challenge.

Hoddesdon’s selection & key talking points

Skipper Adrian Lee has named a strong 2nd XI squad for this must-win encounter, blending regulars with in-form players from the wider club setup.

The team features:

1. Bilal Ahmad
2. Adrian Lee (C)
3. Rocco Cuffaro
4. Daniel Hawkins
5. Ben de Fig (WK)
6. Greg Marsh
7. Oliver Welsby
8. Olly Maughan
9. Asif Mohammed
10. Freddie Webb
11. Charlie Tackley

Lee’s faith in form players
One of the headline selections is the retention of 3rd XI skipper Daniel Hawkins, who earns his place after a superb knock for the 2nd XI last weekend – a performance that won him the club’s coveted Green Jacket award. His ability to graft at the crease and keep the scoreboard ticking could prove vital against Northwood’s potent attack.

Ben de Fig takes the gloves for this match, with his reliable keeping and sharp work standing up to the stumps adding another layer of control in the field. With Northwood’s batters favouring aggressive starts, a quick pair of hands behind the sticks could make all the difference.

Bilal Ahmad, whose class has been on show in flashes this season, will be expected to set the tone, while Lee himself will be looking to lead from the front with a calm, authoritative innings if required. Rocco Cuffaro offers both batting muscle and the ability to adapt to match situations, while the middle order – Greg Marsh, Oliver Welsby, and Olly Maughan – will need to contribute with partnerships that prevent collapses.

Bowling depth comes from a mix of seam and spin options, with Asif Mohammed and Charlie Tackley among those likely to share the new ball, but look out for the rapid Welsby to add fire and spice when needed. Freddie Webb adds further variety, capable of tying down one end and forcing errors through sustained pressure.

What’s at stake

While Old Haberdashers’ perilous position offers a small cushion, Lee knows that a win – especially against a top-three side – could be the difference between safety and another month of nervous glances at the league table. Speaking ahead of the game, the skipper remained positive:

“We know the challenge Northwood bring, but we’ve beaten strong sides before. The boys are up for it, we’re at home, and we’ve still got our fate in our own hands. I back this team to beat the drop.”

That confidence will be crucial – and so will the start Hoddesdon make with both bat and ball. In previous weeks, slow starts have left them chasing games. Against a side as disciplined as Northwood, they can’t afford to be three down early or leak 60 in the first 10 overs with the ball.

The game plan

For Hoddesdon, the blueprint is clear:

With the ball: Strike early to remove Gairola and Madhavan before they settle. Deny Krunal Patel the width he thrives on, and force him to take singles rather than clear the ropes. Keep Iqbal Anjum at bay for as long as possible – his bowling record suggests he could swing the match if given a sniff.

With the bat: See off the new ball, play straight, and frustrate Northwood’s opening attack. Build partnerships in the middle overs and keep wickets in hand for a late surge. Patience will be rewarded – and in warm conditions, the fielding side can be made to toil.

Conditions

The forecast points to warm temperatures in the mid-20s with a bit of cloud – ideal cricket weather. The pitch at Lowfield has offered good bounce and carry recently, meaning shot-making will be possible, but bowlers who hit the seam could still find movement early on. Fielding fitness will be tested, especially in the latter overs.

Final word

On paper, it’s top-three versus bottom-two – but cricket is rarely that simple. Hoddesdon’s blend of experienced campaigners and in-form performers gives them a fighting chance of upsetting the odds, especially with home support behind them.

Northwood Town will come expecting to dominate, but if Lee’s men can deliver in the key moments, there’s every possibility the Green Machine could roll over the promotion chasers and take a massive step towards safety.

Come On The Two's!

#GreenMachine