The road does not get any easier for Hoddesdon Cricket Club Saturday 2nd XI this weekend as Adrian Lee’s side travel to Preston Cricket Club for another huge Division 4B clash.

After four consecutive defeats to begin the 2026 campaign, Hoddesdon prop up the table on 40 points and know they need to start turning encouraging individual displays into complete performances if they are to climb away from danger. Standing in their way on Saturday are a Preston side sitting fifth in the division on 78 points, with two wins and two defeats from their opening four matches. Their season has been something of a mixed bag so far, but they arrive into the fixture with confidence after last weekend’s convincing six-wicket victory away at Northampton Exiles.

For Hoddesdon though, there are reasons for optimism. Captain Adrian Lee returns after missing last Saturday’s defeat to Boxmoor following his recent hospital stay with a serious leg infection. Thankfully, Animal is now back home recovering and will resume leadership duties this weekend.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Preston, Lee was in good spirits and eager to get back involved.

“It was horrible sitting out last week,” admitted the skipper.

“I was proud of the lads because there were some really good bits in the performance, especially with the ball, but I’m desperate to get back out there and help the side properly again. The leg is improving slowly and hopefully I can contribute on the field this weekend. I’ve missed being around the boys.”

Animal also reserved special praise for one player in particular as Hoddesdon prepare to hand a long-awaited 2nd XI debut to promising young bowler Austin Bean.

“Congratulations to Austin on his 2s debut,” Lee wrote in the players’ WhatsApp group this week.

“We’ve been keeping an eye on you for a while and looking forward to seeing you thrive in the 2s. Good luck!”

It is another excellent moment for Hoddesdon’s player pathway and another example of the club rewarding performances and commitment from the lower sides. Bean has quietly built an impressive reputation across the 3rd and 4th XIs over the last couple of seasons, particularly with the ball. The young seamer has consistently impressed captains with his accuracy, control and ability to take wickets in clusters. The statistics certainly back that up. Across the last three seasons, Bean has claimed 27 wickets at an average of just over 27, with a respectable economy rate of 4.52. His best figures of 3 for 15 came away at Harlow in 2024, while his excellent 3 for 33 against Dunmow last season further highlighted his potential. This year he has made a strong start again, taking 2 for 19 against Letchworth Garden City 5th XI with an economy rate of just 3.8. Those numbers may not scream headlines to the casual observer, but within Hoddesdon circles there is genuine excitement about his development.

Importantly, he is another young player progressing through the club structure into senior cricket.

After Charlie Tackley’s much-celebrated First XI debut coming up this weekend, Bean now gets his own opportunity at the next level, and it continues a hugely positive trend for Hoddesdon Cricket Club as homegrown talent pushes through the ranks. Animal believes that pathway is absolutely vital.

“One thing this club should always pride itself on is giving young lads opportunities,” said Lee.

“Austin has earned this chance through performances and attitude. He works hard and bowls proper spells. Nobody is gifting him anything — he deserves this opportunity.”

Bean will not be the only player arriving from the lower sides with confidence either. 3rd XI captain Dan Hawkins also earns selection after some strong recent displays, while Henry Taylor continues his rise following a string of impressive performances. Taylor in particular has caught the eye in recent weeks with his disciplined bowling and ability to make things happen during key moments of games. Hawkins meanwhile brings valuable experience and energy into the middle order, alongside his usual vocal presence in the field.

Phil Stafford keeps wicket once again, while Bilal Ahmad and Tyrone Mazarura remain key figures near the top of the order. Hoddesdon’s batting has shown flashes of promise this season without ever quite producing the complete innings needed to secure victory. Last weekend against Boxmoor perhaps summed up their campaign so far. Chasing 245 at Lowfield in scorching temperatures, Hoddesdon battled hard but were ultimately bowled out for 169. Phil Stafford top-scored with 49 while Josh Nicholson added an encouraging 35, but the side were always chasing the game after leaking a crippling 42 extras in the first innings.

The bowling effort itself actually contained plenty of positives. Charlie Tackley continued his breakthrough campaign with 3 wickets which ultimately earned him a 1st xi call up this weekend, Ash Hill produced another lively spell and claimed a superb caught-and-bowled, while Bilal Ahmad and Josh Nicholson also chipped in with wickets. But against strong Division 4B opposition, gifting away 30 wides proved hugely costly. Animal knows Hoddesdon simply have to tighten up.

“You cannot give teams 40-odd freebies and expect to win games,” he said honestly.

“That’s the frustrating thing because there are parts of our cricket that are actually pretty good. Charlie’s bowling superbly, Ash is improving every week, Ollie Maughan can always be relied upon and Bilal’s leading from the front and there’s loads of effort in the group. But at this level you get punished for mistakes.”

Preston meanwhile represent another stern challenge.

Their recent results suggest they are beginning to find momentum after an inconsistent opening month. Last weekend’s win over Northampton Exiles was particularly impressive, chasing down 128 for the loss of only four wickets. Archie McIntosh struck an unbeaten 61 in that victory, while William Gallimore’s 65 against North Enfield earlier in the season remains one of the standout knocks in Division 4B so far. Oliver Nethercot has also impressed with the bat, scoring 98 runs at an average above 32 including a half-century, while Ashley Catlin has added useful runs in the middle order.

With the ball, Preston possess one of the more dangerous attacks in the division statistically. Mark Waters currently leads the club wicket charts with 12 wickets, including remarkable figures of 5 for 25 against Stevenage. Bhavin Patel has seven wickets to his name, while Ariful Islam and Oliver Nethercot have also been regular wicket-takers. Animal knows Hoddesdon will need to bat with far greater discipline and intelligence this weekend.

“They’ve clearly got a few lads who know what they’re doing with the ball,” he admitted.

“We’ve spoken this week about partnerships and batting time. We don’t need miracles — we just need to be smarter in key moments.”

The league table already carries added significance despite the season still being relatively young. Hoddesdon sit bottom on 40 points after four defeats from four matches, while Preston’s two victories have lifted them into mid-table security for now. However, the table remains incredibly tight beneath the leading group. A good result this weekend could suddenly change the complexion of Hoddesdon’s season and restore confidence heading into the middle stages of the campaign. There is certainly no sense of panic within the squad. The atmosphere around the club remains positive and supportive, with senior players continuing to encourage the younger members of the side. That blend of experience and youth will once again be central on Saturday.

Bilal Ahmad remains an important figure with both bat and ball, Tyrone Mazarura can change games quickly when aggressive, while Stafford’s experience behind the stumps is invaluable. Alongside them are emerging players like Bean, Taylor and Freddie Hawkins, all gaining exposure to tougher cricket and learning rapidly each week.

Animal believes patience is important.

“We’re not suddenly going to become a bad club because we’ve lost four games,” he said.

“There’s loads of talent here and plenty of lads improving every week. The important thing now is sticking together and keeping standards high. One win changes everything.”

Saturday’s fixture takes place at Preston Cricket Club, located on Hitchin Road near Hitchin, with play beginning at midday. Conditions are once again expected to be warm, which could make for another long afternoon in the field if bowlers lose discipline. Hoddesdon will therefore hope the lessons from last weekend have been learned quickly. There is some rain predicted at this early stage however and therefore we will have to wait and see how the afternoon pans out.

If they can cut out the costly extras, back up their improving bowling displays and produce one substantial batting partnership, there is every reason to believe a first win of the campaign is within reach. And with Animal back in the ranks, another talented youngster earning his opportunity and several players arriving in good form, Hoddesdon travel to Preston with renewed optimism.

The challenge is significant. But so too is the belief that this young and improving side is edging closer to putting everything together.

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