Hoddesdon 2nd XI were left with mixed emotions on Saturday after producing one of their most competitive performances of the season, only to fall agonisingly short in a two-wicket defeat away at North Enfield. On a scorching hot day at Strayfield Road, Adrian Lee’s side showed character, fight and no shortage of quality, posting 221 all out before pushing the hosts deep into the 49th over of the chase. It was a game that could easily have gone either way, and while the final result was another defeat, there was far more encouragement here than disappointment.

After a difficult run of results in Division 4B, Hoddesdon badly needed a performance that reminded everyone what this side can do when they put the pieces together. They got exactly that for long spells of the afternoon, with Dan Hawkins and captain Adrian Lee leading the way with the bat, and young Austin Bean producing a superb spell with the ball. North Enfield eventually reached 222/8 from 48.5 overs to win by two wickets, but Hoddesdon made them scrap for every run and left the field with 16 points for their efforts.

The result leaves Hoddesdon still tenth in the Division 4B table, but the performance was a clear step in the right direction. After ten matches they now have 128 points, with Preston just above them on 135 and Stevenage on 146, meaning there is still everything to play for in the coming weeks. At the top of the table, Old Albanians lead with 243 points, followed by Boxmoor and Lutonian on 230, Luton Town & Indians on 222, Flamstead on 218 and North Enfield now sixth on 193.

Division 4B

Hoddesdon won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that gave their top order the chance to set the tone on a day when the heat was always likely to make fielding second a serious test. Connor Hunt fell early for 8, bowled by Matthew Hodgins with the score on 13, and Phil Stafford then departed without scoring as Hodgins struck again to leave the visitors 14/2. It was a difficult start, but it brought together Dan Hawkins and Adrian Lee, and the pair responded with exactly the sort of partnership Hoddesdon have been crying out for. Hawkins batted with calm authority, playing straight, punishing the loose ball and giving the innings a proper backbone. His 71 from 84 balls included 13 boundaries, and it was a knock full of control, patience and timely aggression. On a day when concentration was difficult and the heat never relented, Hawkins gave Hoddesdon a platform and showed the value of experience at the top of the order.

Dan Hawkins Was Superb With The Bat

At the other end, Lee produced one of his best innings of the season, making 66 from 82 balls with 12 fours. The skipper mixed watchfulness with strong scoring shots, and he looked determined to drag his side into a position where they could compete. His partnership with Hawkins carried Hoddesdon from early trouble to 145/3, and for a long period it felt as though the visitors were building towards a total that would put serious scoreboard pressure on North Enfield. That stand was the heart of the Hoddesdon innings, and it deserved huge credit. Hawkins was eventually third out at 145, caught by William Munt off Ishan Tilakaratna, before Mark Feely was bowled by the same bowler for 1 with the score on 151. Lee followed at 171, run out by Tom Coughlan after a fine captain’s contribution, and Hoddesdon suddenly found themselves needing the lower order to turn a strong position into a defendable total.

There were useful late efforts, even if Hoddesdon were unable to fully cash in on the platform. Gagan Dissanayake made 8, Asif Mohammed chipped in with 10, Oliver Maughan added a brisk 13 from 13 balls, and Ash Hill struck 16 from 17, including three boundaries. Austin Bean finished unbeaten on 1, while Freddie Lee was last man out for 1 as Hoddesdon were dismissed for 221 in 44.2 overs.

North Enfield’s bowling effort was led by Matthew Hodgins, who finished with 5/37 from 9.2 overs and proved decisive in both the early and late stages of the innings. Ishan Tilakaratna also played a key role, taking 3/48 from eight overs, while Tom Coughlan claimed 1/41 from his ten. Hoddesdon also received 26 extras, including 20 byes, but the story of the innings was very much the class of Hawkins and Lee, whose partnership gave the visitors a genuine chance of a much-needed victory.

The Hoddesdon Scorecard

With 221 on the board, Hoddesdon knew they needed a disciplined start with the ball, and they got one. Gagan Dissanayake opened with control, bowling ten overs for just 23 runs, including two maidens, and although he did not take a wicket, his economy helped keep the chase under pressure. At the other end, Austin Bean made the early breakthroughs, underlining why he has been so highly regarded for his recent performances in the 3rd XI. Bean removed William Munt for 15, had Ishan Tilakaratna caught and bowled for 7, and then dismissed Freddie Pearson for 1, caught by Dan Hawkins. Those wickets left North Enfield 36/3 and gave Hoddesdon real belief that they could force their way into the match. Bean’s final figures of 7-1-28-3 were excellent, especially for a young bowler operating in hot conditions and under the pressure of a tight run chase.

North Enfield’s recovery came through Tom Coughlan and Owen White, who steadied the innings after the early damage. Coughlan made 19 before Ash Hill trapped him lbw, while White contributed 37 from 59 balls before he was caught by Freddie Lee off Oliver Maughan. At 124/5, Hoddesdon were right in the contest, but Kieran Jones then played the decisive innings of the match. Jones made 83 from 94 balls, striking ten fours and two sixes, and his innings gave North Enfield the control they needed. He was not allowed to cruise, because Hoddesdon kept taking wickets around him, but he found enough support to edge the hosts closer. Will Grisedale made 18 before Asif Mohammed bowled him, Steve Gandy added 6 before Maughan struck again, and Jones himself finally fell at 216, bowled by Asif with the scores almost level.

That late wicket gave Hoddesdon one final flicker of hope, but North Enfield got over the line with two wickets in hand. Mike Hovermill finished unbeaten on 3 and Matthew Hodgins on 4, completing a chase that had been tense from start to finish. It was a tough one to take for Hoddesdon, especially after having North Enfield 36/3 and 124/5, but it was also a performance that showed plenty of fight and a clear improvement in competitiveness.

As well as Bean’s three wickets, there was praise for Asif Mohammed, who took 2/52 from nine overs, and Oliver Maughan, who claimed 2/40 from 9.5 overs. Ash Hill also took 1/50 from eight overs although there remains some debate about the 37th over. (nb. Ash has contacted us to state that there has been a case of mistaken identity and he did not bowl that particular over, which included 10 runs and 6 wides. A request has been submitted to have the scorebook updated to reflect Ash's actual figures accurately and we feel duty bound to acknowledge that request, before Ash serves us with a court order....) Meanwhile, Freddie Lee bowled five overs for 27. The one obvious frustration was the extras column, with Hoddesdon conceding 29, including 23 wides and four no-balls, and in a game lost by just two wickets and one run on the scoreboard, that is an area that cannot be ignored.

Austin Bean Was The Pick Of The Hoddesdon Bowlers

Captain Adrian Lee was proud of the response from his side, even if the result was painful. “That one hurts because we put ourselves in a position to win the game,” said Lee. “Dan batted brilliantly and gave us exactly the start and stability we needed, and I felt good out there as well, so to build that partnership and get us into a competitive position was pleasing. We probably left a few runs out there but the effort, attitude and fight from the lads was excellent.”

Lee was also full of praise for Bean, whose early spell gave Hoddesdon real momentum. “Austin was outstanding,” he added. “He is a young bowler who has been doing really well in the 3rd XI, and he came into this game and showed no fear at all. He hit good areas, asked questions, and taking three wickets in that heat against a decent North Enfield side is something he should be really proud of.”

Austin Bean

The skipper also felt the overall performance was something the squad could build from. “We are disappointed because it was there for us, but I would rather focus on the fact we competed properly,” said Lee. “We have had some heavy defeats recently, but this was a proper game of cricket that could have gone either way. If we keep that level of fight and just sharpen up the little things, then the results will come.”

For Hoddesdon, this was not the win they wanted, but it was certainly not a performance to be dismissed. Hawkins and Lee showed the way with the bat, Bean announced himself with a mature and exciting spell, and the team pushed North Enfield to the brink in draining conditions. The challenge now is to turn encouragement into points, because the table still demands urgency, but this was a defeat with enough positives to suggest the 2nd XI are far from finished.

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