Match Report: Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI vs Northwood Town CC 1st XI

HPCL Division 4A – Saturday 16 August 2025, Lowfield
Result: Northwood Town CC (167/3 in 30.1 overs) beat Hoddesdon CC (165 all out in 44.1 overs) by 7 wickets

On a warm August afternoon at Lowfield, Hoddesdon CC’s 2nd XI hosted promotion-chasing Northwood Town CC 1st XI in a pivotal HPCL Division 4A clash. With the season entering its final stretch, every point was vital. For Hoddesdon, still hovering dangerously in the relegation zone, the equation was simple: they need winbs to survive. For Northwood, sitting in third and eyeing a late promotion push, victory would keep them firmly in contention.

Adrian Lee led out his Hoddesdon side knowing the enormity of the challenge. Northwood, with their strong batting line-up and balanced bowling attack, were always going to be tough opponents, and once the visitors won the toss and elected to field first, the pressure was on Hoddesdon’s batters to post something competitive.

Hoddesdon’s Innings – A Familiar Struggle

The hosts’ innings followed an all-too-familiar pattern of early wickets, brief resistance, and collapse. Bilal Ahmad (6) was the first to go, caught with the score just 15. Skipper Adrian Lee followed soon after, pinned lbw by the dangerous Veer Vadgama for 9, leaving Hoddesdon 16–2 and immediately under the cosh. Rocco Cuffaro (4) and Daniel Hawkins (11) both tried to steady the innings, but Northwood’s bowlers were relentless. Cuffaro caught, Hawkins caught, and Hoddesdon were tottering at 32–4.

At this stage, the innings looked set for a short, painful demise. But then, as has so often been the case this season, one man stood up to fight.

Ben De Fig’s Lone Resistance

Ben De Fig played one of the innings of the season for Hoddesdon, producing a fluent and counter-attacking 75 from just 71 balls. Timing the ball sweetly, he struck 13 boundaries, punishing anything loose and ensuring that Hoddesdon had something to defend. His knock was full of intent – drives through the covers, cuts behind point, and clever use of the sweep. While wickets continued to tumble around him, De Fig carried the fight, showing both class and determination.

He was briefly supported by Gregory Marsh, who made a useful 21 before being trapped lbw by Iqbal Anjum. But when De Fig eventually fell lbw to Vadgama, Hoddesdon’s hopes of reaching 200 all but disappeared. The lower order offered little resistance. Oliver Welsby (6), Oliver Maughan (6), Asif Mohammed (0), and Freddie Webb (5) were all dismissed cheaply, leaving last man Charlie Tackley (4*) stranded as Hoddesdon were bowled out for 165 in 44.1 overs.

The Bowling of Northwood – Disciplined and Deadly

Northwood’s bowlers stuck to their task brilliantly. Veer Vadgama was the pick, finishing with superb figures of 4–14 from 10 overs, exploiting movement off the pitch and never allowing the batters to settle. He was well supported by Iqbal Anjum (2–29) and Sajid Malik (1–31), while Deepak Raj chipped in with the wicket of Mohammed.

It was a disciplined effort that strangled Hoddesdon’s scoring opportunities and forced errors. Despite De Fig’s brilliance, 165 always looked below par.

Northwood’s Chase – Bahl and Vadgama Take Control

If Hoddesdon had any chance of defending their modest total, they needed early breakthroughs. And they got one when Charlie Tackley struck in the 9th over, trapping opener Akshay Loomba lbw for 8. At 44–1, Hoddesdon had a glimmer of hope.

But that was as good as it got.

Rohit Bahl (63 from 61 balls) and Veer Vadgama (65* from 65 balls) took the game away in emphatic style. Bahl was particularly aggressive, striking 8 fours and 2 sixes in a commanding knock. He punished anything short and wide, racing along at a strike rate of 103 and ensuring the scoreboard ticked over quickly. Vadgama, fresh from his four-wicket haul, played with controlled aggression. He drove elegantly, rotated the strike, and showed why he is one of the division’s most valuable all-rounders. Together, the pair added 75 for the second wicket and completely deflated Hoddesdon’s bowlers.

When Bahl eventually fell for 63, caught by Marsh off Mohammed, the game was already beyond reach. Even when Nischay Madhavan (7) was dismissed by Webb, Northwood were cruising at 134–3. Jay Patel (9*) then joined Vadgama to finish the job, Northwood reaching 167–3 in just 30.1 overs to seal a comfortable 7-wicket win.

Hoddesdon’s Bowling Effort

Hoddesdon’s bowlers toiled but struggled for breakthroughs. Freddie Webb bowled with energy and picked up Madhavan, finishing with 1–49 from 9 overs. Tackley’s early wicket was reward for his persistence (1–42), while Mohammed also chipped in (1–31). But with such a small total to defend, they had little margin for error. Northwood’s top order took advantage, and by the halfway point of the chase, the visitors were already within touching distance of victory.

Match in Context – Relegation Woes for Hoddesdon

The defeat leaves Hoddesdon’s 2nd XI deep in relegation trouble. With just three games remaining, they sit 9th in Division 4A on 191 points – only ahead of bottom side Old Haberdashers. Safety is still mathematically possible, but the margin for error is gone. Wins are now essential, and results elsewhere may also need to go their way. For Northwood, the victory strengthens their push at the top end of the table. Now on 350 points, they remain firmly in contention for a promotion spot behind Hitchin 2nd XI and Broxbourne 2nd XI.

Key Performers

• Ben De Fig (Hoddesdon) – 75 (71 balls, 13 fours). A lone hand with the bat, playing with fluency and aggression. Without him, Hoddesdon would have collapsed for under 100.
• Veer Vadgama (Northwood) – 4–14 (10 overs) and 65* (65 balls). A superb all-round display, dominating with both bat and ball.
• Rohit Bahl (Northwood) – 63 (61 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes). His attacking innings ensured Northwood’s chase was always ahead of the game.

Captain’s Reaction

After the match, Hoddesdon skipper Adrian Lee admitted the side were running out of chances:

“We just didn’t put enough runs on the board. Ben batted brilliantly and gave us hope, but we needed one or two more to stick around with him. Once we were bowled out for 165, we knew it was going to be tough, and their top order batted really well. We’ve now got three massive games left – we’ll be fighting right until the end.”

Analysis – Where It Went Wrong

For Hoddesdon, the issue remains consistency with the bat. Apart from De Fig, no one reached 25, and the top order crumbled under pressure. Partnerships have been a problem all season, and once again, a lack of support for the main scorer left the total well short. Defensively, the bowlers worked hard but lacked penetration. Against quality top-order batters like Bahl and Vadgama, you need early wickets – something Hoddesdon couldn’t produce in sufficient numbers.

The Road Ahead

Hoddesdon’s remaining fixtures will now define their season. With relegation looming, every match must be treated as a final. Batters need to step up alongside De Fig, and the bowlers will need to find inspiration to defend totals or bowl sides out cheaply. A game against the bottom ranked team next up would normally be a blessing but an away game against a side with not much to play for and thereofre no pressure and the ability to play with freedom, could prove a tough obstacle for Lee's side.

Northwood, meanwhile, look a side in form. With depth in both batting and bowling, and momentum on their side, they will fancy their chances of forcing their way into the top two before the season ends.

Conclusion

This was another tough day at Lowfield for Hoddesdon’s 2nd XI. Despite a standout innings from Ben De Fig, they were simply outclassed by a disciplined and confident Northwood Town side. With relegation fears now very real, Adrian Lee’s men face three do-or-die matches to try and salvage their Division 4A status.

For Hoddesdon, the fight for survival intensifies – and the clock is ticking.

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