YOUNGSTERS TAKE CENTRE-STAGE FOR THE 3’S

Hoddesdon 3rd XI continued their brilliant run of form with a comprehensive 9-wicket victory over Tewin at Upper Green on Saturday; however it was the youngsters that stole the show. The U14 bowling quartet of Max Murray, Riley Hagger, Alex Charles-Wall and Joe Duke took all 10 Tewin wickets, as the hosts were dismissed for a meagre 56.

Tewin won the toss and elected to bat first; nevertheless this decision appeared questionable as their innings began disastrously when they were reduced to 4-3. Riley Hagger claimed the first wicket, as young Max Kavanagh chipped the ball to Steve Duke at short extra-cover.

Max Murray continued Hoddy’s fine start, bowling Hill round his legs with an excellent yorker. After Cuff chipped up a fine delivery from Murray into the grateful hands of Hayden Brown, Tewin were reeling at 4-3 and the visitors were buoyant.

Murray and Hagger completed their respective spells with the hosts languishing at 14-3 after 11 overs and Alex Charles-Wall and Josh Gorton replaced the pair and were determined to maintain this level of containment. D Taylor and Ted Kavanagh were slowly beginning to build a partnership, with Taylor adopting the aggressor’s role; however Charles-Wall and Gorton nullified Taylor’s threat, with the former claiming his first wicket after a sharp catch from Steve Duke.

Charles-Wall and Gorton continued to bowl well in tandem for little reward. Ted Kavanagh remained belligerent without particularly troubling the scorers, but Tewin’s run-rate was a little over 1 per over. Charles-Wall was replaced by Joe Duke after he completed his 6 over spell and suddenly the Tewin middle-order completely capitulated at the hands of Hoddesdon’s young spinner.
Duke clean-bowled three of Tewin’s middle order, whilst a smart stumping from Peter Draisey added to the youngster’s tally. Duke’s first senior five-wicket haul was completed after Hoddy skipper Aidan McElligott caught Wigget at mid-on. Duke’s overall figures were mightily impressive; 5 overs- 5-13.

Max Murray was reintroduced into the attack as Hoddesdon went in search of the final wicket and this bowling change certainly had the desired effect. Bryce misjudged Murray’s slower delivery and spooned his off-drive up to Gorton at mid-on; who made no mistake to hand the left-arm seamer his third wicket.

Tewin were all-out for 56 and simply couldn’t cope with the probing nature of Hoddesdon’s young bowling attack. All five bowlers were economical and contributed to a fine team-effort. Opener Ted Kavanagh admirably carried his bat, but his valiant resistance only merited a modest 8 not out.

In reply, Hoddesdon’s response was emphatic, as Luke Murray smashed two boundaries in the opening over. Steve Duke was slightly more guarded in his approach, although this provided an effective foil for Murray. However, Tewin did have something to celebrate as Wigget clean-bowled Luke Murray in the first delivery of his spell, but Hoddesdon’s opener smashed 18 in quick-time to edge the visitors close to their required target.

Luke was replaced at the crease by his younger brother Max Murray, who was intent on replicating his excellent bowling performance; and he did just that. He has performed tremendously with the bat recently and looked extremely assured, exploiting some erratic bowling from Fitzjohn to end on 16 not out as Hoddeson reached their target with 9 wickets and 54 overs remaining. Steve Duke ended on 17 not out as the Thora’s secured victory with consummate ease. It was refreshing to see the youngsters shine and it just illustrates the conveyer belt of talent progressing through the colt sides.

This Saturday, Hoddesdon host table-toppers Old Elizabethans at Roydon, as they hope to avenge their 60-run defeat from earlier in the season. It will certainly be a major test, but on current form, Hoddesdon will be cautiously optimistic about their chances.