Hoddesdon 2nd XI head to North Enfield CC on Saturday with Adrian Lee leading a much-changed side into another important Division 4B contest, as the 2s continue their search for the victory that could kick-start the second half of their season. It has been a testing few weeks for Animal’s side, with a series of defeats against strong top-half opposition leaving them at the foot of the table, but there is enough quality, experience and fresh energy in this weekend’s XI to suggest they can travel with belief rather than fear.

The fixture takes place at North Enfield CC, with a midday start in Herts Premier Cricket League Division 4B. Hoddesdon arrive in tenth place on 112 points after nine matches, just four points behind Stevenage 2nd XI, while North Enfield sit sixth with 163 points from their nine games. That gap in the table tells part of the story, but not all of it, because Hoddesdon’s recent performances have carried flashes of promise even when results have not followed, and this weekend’s reshuffled side gives Animal a chance to change the rhythm of the season.

Climbing The Table Remains Animal's Priority

The latest Division 4B table shows just how competitive the top half has become, with Boxmoor and Old Albanians both locked on 213 points, Luton Town & Indians just behind on 208, and Lutonian sitting fourth on 200. Flamstead are fifth on 188, North Enfield sixth on 163, Northampton Exiles seventh on 158, Preston eighth on 127, Stevenage ninth on 116 and Hoddesdon tenth on 112. For Hoddesdon, the immediate target is clear: close the gap to Stevenage, drag themselves back into touch with the sides above them, and make sure the bottom of the table does not begin to feel like home.

North Enfield have had a mixed recent run of their own, which should give Hoddesdon encouragement. Their latest outing saw them beaten by Northampton Exiles, bowled out for 131 before Northampton crept to 132/7 in 39 overs to win by three wickets. Before that, North Enfield edged Stevenage in a thriller, making 238 all out and then holding on as Stevenage were dismissed for 232, but they were heavily beaten by Boxmoor on 20 June when Boxmoor made 268/6 and North Enfield were bowled out for 167. Their form line shows a side capable of winning tight matches, but also a side that can be placed under pressure if wickets fall early.

Last Saturday, North Enfield Lost A Tight Game At Home To Northampton Exiles

Hoddesdon’s own recent results have been tough reading, but there have been signs of resilience and individual improvement within the defeats. Last weekend, they came up against a strong Lutonian side and were beaten by 175 runs after Lutonian piled up 346/5, but Hoddesdon still made 171 and claimed ten points from the game. The week before, Flamstead won by 181 runs at Lowfield, and before that Old Albanians were too strong in a 196-run defeat, but the 2s did record that much-needed victory over Luton Town & Indians on 13 June, when Greg Marsh inspired a four-wicket win and showed exactly what this side is capable of when they stay in the fight.

The last meeting between these two sides came at Lowfield on 9 May, when North Enfield won by seven wickets. Hoddesdon won the toss and chose to bat, but were dismissed for 134 in 38.1 overs, despite a classy 47 from Phil Stafford that gave the innings some much-needed shape and control. North Enfield then reached 140/3 in 26.3 overs to take the points, and while the margin was comfortable in the end, Hoddesdon will know there were moments in that game where a stronger total or a couple more early wickets could have made things far more interesting.

Animal is keen for his players to use that previous meeting as motivation rather than baggage, particularly with the side showing a very different look this weekend. “The first game against them was frustrating because Phil showed that runs were there to be made, but we just did not get enough around him,” said Lee. “This weekend is a fresh game, a different side, and a chance for lads to stand up and show what they can do. We know where we are in the table, but we also know one good Saturday can change the mood very quickly.”

North Enfield’s danger men are not difficult to identify. Tom Coughlan has been their leading run-scorer with 295 runs at an average of 49.17, including two half-centuries and a high score of 55 not out, while Kieran Jones has 188 runs at 37.60 and has also passed fifty twice. Steve Gandy adds further threat with the bat, having made 156 runs at 52.00, including a century, and his strike rate of 113.87 suggests he can change the pace of an innings very quickly if Hoddesdon allow him to settle.

The North Enfield XI To Face Hoddesdon 2nd XI

The bowling numbers are just as important, because North Enfield have several wicket-takers who have already shaped matches this season. Steve Gandy leads their bowling charts with 13 wickets, Oliver Munt has 12, and Derrick Sanders has 10, with Sanders already knowing what it feels like to trouble Hoddesdon after taking 4/30 in the meeting at Lowfield in May. Gandy’s 4/29, Sanders’ 4/24, Freddie Pearson’s 4/40 and Oliver Munt’s 3/23 all feature among North Enfield’s top bowling performances, so Hoddesdon’s batters will need to be patient, disciplined and much sharper in the first 15 overs than they have been at times this season.

Animal's team will also have another immovable object to contend with.

North Enfield Cricket Club, based on Strayfield Road, famously incorporates a large Oak tree into its Strayfield Road ground in Enfield, London. The iconic tree stands near the road boundary and has occasionally dropped branches onto the outfield, occasionally coming into play during matches.

The famous Oak Tree at Strayfield Road

The shape of Hoddesdon’s batting will be fascinating, not least because Dan Hawkins remains in the side and brings leadership, experience and competitive edge from his usual role as 3rd XI captain. With Hawkins likely near the top of the order, Connor Hunt alongside him after his encouraging signs in recent weeks, and Animal in and around the top 3, Hoddesdon have a top order with responsibility on its shoulders and the opportunity to give the side a platform.

Phil Stafford will keep wicket and remains one of the key men in the side, not least because of that 47 against North Enfield earlier in the season. Mark Feely adds experience and know-how to the middle order, Billy Franklin brings all-round value, and Asif Mohammed comes into the side with the chance to make an impact in a 2nd XI environment. Gagan Dissanayake dropping into the squad from the 1st XI is a major boost, giving Animal extra quality and presence, while Olly Maughan, Ash Hill and Austin Bean all offer important balance in the second half of the XI.

Ash Hill’s selection is particularly important because he has been one of the in-form players across the club in recent weeks, contributing with energy, athleticism and all-round ability. Austin Bean also deserves a proper mention, having done brilliantly for the 3rd XI recently as a young pace bowler who looks increasingly comfortable in senior cricket. This is a significant opportunity for him to show he can carry that confidence into a higher level, and Animal will be hoping his pace, enthusiasm and willingness to learn can give North Enfield something different to think about.

“We have got a lot of changes, but I actually see that as a positive,” said Lee. “Sometimes a changed side brings a different energy, and there are lads here who will be desperate to take their chance. Dan coming in is great for us, Gagan gives us real quality, Ash has been in good form, and Austin has earned the opportunity with what he has been doing. The message is simple: compete hard, be brave, and do the basics better for longer.”

All Rounder Ash Hill

For Hoddesdon, those basics will be crucial. Extras have hurt the 2nd XI badly in recent weeks, and while the bowling group has continued to take wickets and create chances, the pressure has too often been released by wides, no-balls and loose overs. Against a North Enfield side with players such as Coughlan, Jones and Gandy, Hoddesdon cannot afford to give away free runs or allow batters to settle without earning their scoring opportunities. The batting must also show greater collective resolve. Too often this season, Hoddesdon have had one or two players produce encouraging contributions without the partnerships needed to turn a competitive start into a match-winning total. Connor Hunt’s recent willingness to take responsibility higher up the order has been a positive, Animal remains capable of occupying time and building an innings, and Stafford’s earlier 47 against this same opposition proves he can score against them. If Hawkins, Lee, Stafford, Gagan and Feely can stitch together partnerships, Hoddesdon will give themselves a chance.

There is no pretending that the table looks comfortable, but there is still time for Hoddesdon to turn the story of the season. They sit tenth on 112 points, but with Stevenage just ahead on 116 and Preston on 127, one strong win would immediately change the picture. North Enfield, meanwhile, are in the middle of the table rather than out of sight, and their own recent results show they can be beaten if an opposition side applies pressure and stays in the contest.

Animal added: “We are not hiding from where we are, but we are also not feeling sorry for ourselves. The only way out is to work, compete and start winning the key moments in games. We need to be tighter with the ball, more ruthless with chances, and braver with the bat. If we do that, there is no reason we cannot go there and give North Enfield a proper game. I have shaken things up a bit with the selection, leaning toweards more experienced heads, so I am excited to see what that brings us”

Starting XI: Daniel Hawkins, Connor Hunt, Adrian Lee (captain), Phil Stafford (wicket-keeper), Mark Feely, Billy Franklin, Asif Mohammed, Gagan Dissanayake, Olly Maughan, Ash Hill, Austin Bean.

Match summary

Fixture: North Enfield CC 1st XI v Hoddesdon CC 2nd XI.
Date: Saturday 11 July 2026.
Start time: 12:00 midday.
Venue: North Enfield CC, Strayfield Road, Enfield, EN2 9JE.
Competition: Herts Premier Cricket League, Division 4B.
League positions: North Enfield 6th, Hoddesdon 10th.
Previous meeting: North Enfield won by seven wickets at Lowfield on 9 May, despite Phil Stafford making 47 for Hoddesdon.
Hoddesdon ones to watch: Gagan Dissanayake, Phil Stafford, Ash Hill, Austin Bean and Adrian Lee.
North Enfield danger men: Tom Coughlan, Kieran Jones, Steve Gandy, Oliver Munt and Derrick Sanders.